Skandia

Skandia's business proposition director, Richard Vincent, is set to leave the business at the end of November.

British fashion designer Stella McCartney is in talks with three finance professionals about designing their long johns for the City Endeavour North Pole charity trek.

Old Mutual said it is "progressing well" with plans to build Old Mutual Wealth into a leading wealth management business, but is taking further steps to address its cost base.

Nucleus chief executive David Ferguson has criticised Skandia's plans to buy up restricted advice firms to increase distribution.

Skandia has announced its gender-neutral pipeline plans including the launch of tele-underwriting.

Adam Smears, head of investment research at Skandia, has left the group to pursue other opportunities.

Platform giant Skandia's sales force is understood to be facing a significant reduction in numbers after the group - now known as Old Mutual Wealth - revealed there would be 200 jobs lost across the business.

Cofunds is planning to target life companies failing to attain traction in the platform market.

Old Mutual is to launch a range of at-retirement products, in a bid to rival upscale wealth managers like St James's Place.

Paul Feeney, chief executive of Old Mutual Wealth Management, said the firm is aiming to become the number one wealth manager in the UK, following its merger with Skandia.