Insurer

Friends Provident International (FPI) has reported strong Q1 results despite "the toughest economic back drop" in "fragile" Europe.

Aviva will expand its distribution channels through e-commerce in 2010, but has no plans to move deeper into the online direct-to-consumer space, says the head of the insurer's UK Life arm.

Aviva has been forced to improve its with-profits literature after an IFA criticised the information given to policyholders approaching their 10th anniversary.

Standard Life UK life and pensions sales dived 10.6% to £10.1bn in 2009, but this was offset by a strong showing in its SIPP and wrap businesses.

Aviva has acquired US equity manager River Road Asset Management as it looks to grow its institutional business and expand in the US market.

In a move to scale down its presence in the City, Groupama Insurances is to move its London head office from Minories to America Square on 16 November.

Standard Life has named group finance director David Nish as successor to group chief executive Sir Sandy Crombie from 1 January 2010.

The merger of the Simplyhealth group under one brand umbrella has been completed.

Government-supported privatisation initiatives are the ‘Trojan Horse' that could severely undermine the NHS, Unite, the largest union in the country, has said.

Both the protection and healthcare arms of AXA contributed to the company's UK and Ireland earnings rising 2% for the first half of the year.