Aberdeen's return to vowels: 'It had no choice but to change it back'

Initial rebrand an ‘expensive and confusing’ marketing mistake, advisers say

Isabel Baxter
clock • 3 min read

Following the news that Abrdn will be changing its name back to Aberdeen in a bid to “remove distractions”, industry commentators have said that “it had no choice” but to change it back.

Standard Life Aberdeen adopted the name Abrdn back in 2021, following the sale of the Standard Life brand to Phoenix Group. At the time, the asset manager said that the vowel-banishing change reflected a "modern, agile, digitally enabled brand".  As part of its full year results released today (4 March), the asset manager said the name change is a "pragmatic decision marking a new phase for the organisation and removing distractions, this is a name change not a re-brand, so there is no change to visual identity".  "It was clearly not working," The Yardstick Agency founder and di...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

Isabel Baxter
Author spotlight

Isabel Baxter

Chief Reporter at Professional Adviser

More on Companies

PhillipCapital eyes Walker Crips takeover with £6m bid

PhillipCapital eyes Walker Crips takeover with £6m bid

Amid significant regulatory, compliance and liquidity challenges

Isabel Baxter
clock 24 November 2025 • 3 min read
The Penny Group takes majority stake in £350m AUM advice firm

The Penny Group takes majority stake in £350m AUM advice firm

Will integrate with Harridge Financial Services over a three-year timeframe

Isabel Baxter
clock 21 November 2025 • 2 min read
Tatton AUM up almost 30% to £25.8bn during 'strong period of growth'

Tatton AUM up almost 30% to £25.8bn during 'strong period of growth'

Interim results for the six months to 30 September

Jenna Brown
clock 18 November 2025 • 2 min read