Friends Provident

Lazard Asset Management (LAM) has appointed Rory Williams as strategic alliances manager.

Friends Provident saw profits plunge 20% and UK new business dip 12% in the first half of the year, as it began to implement its new strategy.

F&C has hit out at the continued uncertainty surrounding Friends Provident's 52% ownership in the firm, saying the speculation has hindered the fund manager's ability to gather new assets.

Friends Provident's new CEO Trevor Matthews has today officially joined the company.

Friends Provident is cutting most of its with-profits final bonus rates as a result of a struggling investment climate.

Friends Provident will retain its full ownership of Pantheon Financial after failing to receive a "suitable" offer for the advisory business.

Friends Provident life and pensions CEO Ben Gunn will retire from the insurer at year's end.

Friends Provident says it is retaining the six month notice period for redemptions on its property fund but it is currently able to process requests without delay.

Two thirds of Brits (66 per cent) have little or no faith in the Government when it comes to pensions, according to a survey by Friends Provident.

Online seminars may prove the most effective way for advisers to knowledge share in the future, Friends Provident believes.