Rachel Reeves to shake up pensions to boost UK investment June 5, 2025 The government is set to shake up UK pensions today, with Rachel Reeves planning several government-backed megafunds to boost pension wealth and investment. In the most significant reform to the pensions system since 2021, the bill will focus on six areas – from giving the government a “reserve” power to force pension schemes to invest [...]
Hargreaves Lansdown predicts FTSE small cap surge amid low valuations May 27, 2025 Hargreaves Lansdown have backed the investment case for the smallest companies in the UK, predicting that the FTSE small cap sector will rally thanks to its low valuations. Describing the smaller companies investment space as “compelling,” the investment platform noted that over the last five years, the FTSE small cap index (excluding investment trusts) has [...]
Don’t force pension funds to buy British, Aviva chief warns ministers May 15, 2025 British pension funds should not be forced to invest in UK assets, the boss of one of London’s biggest insurance firms has said, in a rebuke of the government’s pension reforms plans. The Treasury this week helped seal a voluntary, non-binding agreement by pension funds, dubbed the Mansion House Accord, will see increased investment into [...]
Aviva: Direct Line buyout ‘firmly on track’ despite CMA investigation May 15, 2025 Aviva expects its £3.7bn acquisition of Direct Line to be completed by the middle of this year despite a new investigation by the competition watchdog into the deal. In a trading update, the insurance giant’s CEO, Amanda Blanc, said the acquisition was “firmly on track,” and cash to pay for the takeover had been ring-fenced. Yesterday, the Competition [...]
Direct Line suffers shareholder revolt over CEO’s huge pay day May 14, 2025 The group behind Direct Line has suffered a huge revolt by its shareholders over its chief executive being handed a huge pay day ahead of its planned £3.7bn takeover by Aviva. In March, City AM reported that Adam Winslow took home a pay packet of more than £7.8m for the insurance giant’s latest financial year. [...]
CMA to investigate Aviva’s £3.7bn Direct Line deal May 14, 2025 The UK’s competition watchdog has begun an investigation into insurance giant Aviva’s proposed £3.7bn acquisition of Direct Line. The Competition and Markets Authority said it had commenced its phase one inquiry to establish whether the deal would result in a “realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition.” The CMA has invited comment on the [...]
Lloyd’s of London selects Patrick Tiernan for CEO position May 8, 2025 Lloyd's of London appointed Patrick Tiernan as its chief executive officer after John Neal revealed in January is was going to step down
Mercer: Pension funds need better pick of UK investments for key deal to work May 1, 2025 The government’s proposed pensions deal will not boost growth unless better UK investment opportunities are put on offer, the boss of one of Britain’s biggest funds has warned. In an interview with City AM, Benoit Hudon suggested a stronger pipeline of UK assets was needed as current options did not deliver good enough returns for [...]
Direct Line boss gets huge pay day ahead of Aviva’s £3.7bn takeover March 11, 2025 The chief executive of Direct Line Group has received a huge pay day ahead of its £3.7bn takeover by Aviva. Adam Winslow took home a pay packet of more than £7.8m for the insurance giant’s latest financial year, according to its annual report. The CEO’s pay was significantly boosted by a £5.8m payment from Direct [...]
Aviva beats profit expectations amidst Direct Line takeover February 27, 2025 Aviva Plc smashed expectations in its annual profit results amidst its landmark takeover of fellow insurer Direct Line. The FTSE 100 giant posted a 20 per cent increase in operating profit to £1.77bn in 2024. The target surpassed Bloomberg analyst expectations of £1.71bn. Shares in Aviva have returned 11 per cent so far this year, [...]