Press Releases - 2007

Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life and pensions company, believes that greater clarity around product cost and advice structures, along with tightly defined FSA rules on Customer Agreed Remuneration (CAR), would provide positive help for customers to understand and value financial advice.

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) has recruited Stephen Elliott as a Property Fund Manager, reporting directly to RLAM’s Head of Property, Gareth Dickinson.

In the latest podcast from Scottish Life’s ‘Pensions Radio’, Steve Bee, Head of Pensions Strategy, talks to John Jory, Deputy Chief Executive of B&CE, a not-for-profit supplier of financial services and employee benefits to the UK’s construction industry.

The FSA’s annual persistency survey1, published this month, highlights that the traditional methods of pricing pensions plans are unsustainable, says Scottish Life, the pensions specialist arm of the Royal London Group.

A survey by Riley, the individually insured investment from Royal London, has found that the majority of people have a short-term attitude to saving, prioritising holidays above their own and their family’s financial future.

In the latest podcast from Scottish Life’s ‘Pensions Radio’, Steve Bee, Head of Pensions Strategy, talks to Bob Crow, General Secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT), covering the importance of pensions to individuals and trade unions, final salary pensions compared to money purchase schemes and the general trend that employers seem to be reducing their commitment to their employees' pensions.

A survey by Riley, the individually insured investment from Royal London, has found that people are put off stockmarket investments through lack of knowledge or fear of falls in investment markets, with the majority preferring bank or building society savings or property investments.

Scottish Life, the pensions specialist arm of the Royal London Group, has seen a significant take up of its online Occupational Pensions Scheme update service, just one year after launch.

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) has recruited Ian Goulsbra as a Business Development Manager, reporting directly to RLAM’s Head of Sales, Stan Bland. Ian will have responsibility for promoting RLAM’s range of retail funds to the Wholesale marketplace, with a focus on the South of England.

Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life and pensions company, has announced new business results for the nine months ending 30 September 2007

The Royal London UK Strategic Bond Trust has enjoyed a very strong first year since it launched on 29th September 2006, achieving its outperformance target of 2.5% in excess of the iBoxx Sterling Non-Gilts All Maturities Index benchmark*.

Royal London has announced its intention to purchase the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Investment Funds Direct Group Limited (“Fundsdirect”) the company behind the successful Ascentric wrap platform.

In the latest podcast from Scottish Life’s ‘Pensions Radio’, Steve Bee, Head of Pensions Strategy, talks to Robin Ellison, former NAPF chairman, about the future of company pensions and how a little known piece of European legislation could have a serious impact on larger schemes.

Royal London notes the statement issued today by Pearl Group Limited ("Pearl") of a cash offer by Impala Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Pearl, for Resolution.

The BeeHive, Scottish Life’s online pensions bible, celebrates seven years since its inception with a revamp to reflect its evolution into a modern pensions info-portal. The site, which was launched in 2000 and is written by Steve Bee, Head of Pensions Strategy, is a library of information and incisive commentary on the UK (and sometimes international) pensions scene.

Scottish Life International has welcomed the Chancellor’s proposals to amend the taxation regime applying to resident non-domiciles as announced in the Pre-Budget Report.

Scottish Life International has complemented its UK sales force with the appointment of Mike Lane as Regional Sales Manager for the Midlands and the south west.

Royal London notes the statement issued today by Pearl Assurance PLC (“Pearl”) in relation to its communication to the Board of Resolution PLC (“Resolution”) that it is considering a possible cash offer for Resolution.

Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life and pensions company, has announced its financial results for the first half of 2007.

Scottish Life, the pensions specialist arm of the Royal London Group, has highlighted a growing demand from Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) and their clients, for transparent and flexible commission structures.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has issued a forecast of tax receipts for 2007-08. Inheritance tax receipts are estimated to be £3.990 billion for 2007-08. This represents an increase of 12.5% on the actual receipts for 2006-07.

Scottish Life, the pensions specialist arm of the Royal London Group, has appointed Keith MacPherson to the position of Head of Individual Business with immediate effect.

Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life and pensions company, has introduced a range of case studies and other support materials on Riley, its individually insured investment, in order to facilitate the communication process between IFAs and their clients.

During the current stockmarket volatility, investors in Riley, the individually insured investment from Royal London, can enjoy greater peace of mind with the option to insure some or all of their investment against possible stockmarket falls

The Boards of Royal Liver and Royal London today announce that discussions have been terminated in relation to a combination of the societies.

A chance for advisers to win £1,000 holiday vouchers whilst helping close the protection gap.

Scottish Life, the pensions specialist arm of the Royal London Group, has launched a new website and accompanying report to help intermediaries assess the potential impacts of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR).

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) has recruited Paola Binns as a Credit Fund Manager, reporting directly to RLAM’s Head of Fixed Interest, Jonathan Platt.

Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life and pensions company, has announced continued growth in profitable new business for the half year to end June 2007.

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) will launch a new UK Smaller Companies fund on 20th July 2007. The UCITS III authorised unit trust, The Royal London UK Smaller Companies Trust, will invest in companies outside the FTSE 350 which the fund manager believes have the potential to deliver strong growth for investors.

Scottish Life International has introduced the Excluded Property Trust, a draft trust specifically intended for non-UK domiciled investors.

Scottish Life International has introduced the Probate Trust, a draft trust specifically structured to enable non-UK domiciled investors to avoid Isle of Man and UK Probate.

Bright Grey is launching a family campaign to help advisers make sure their clients have enough insurance in place to protect their families if things go wrong with their health or they die.

Derek Mitchell has joined Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) as a Senior UK Equity Fund Manager, reporting to Jane Coffey, RLAM’s Head of Equities

Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life and pensions company, has welcomed many of the proposals from the Retail Distribution Review (RDR).

The Royal London UK Strategic Growth Trust has had a very successful first year since it launched on 1st June 2006, delivering a one year return of 34.0% compared to an IMA UK All Sector return of 22.2%, with a 6th percentile ranking*.

We are pleased to announce that the funds managed by the cash management businesses of the Royal London Group have passed £3bn for the first time.

Scottish Life, the pensions specialist arm of the Royal London Group, has won a 5 star award in the Life and Pensions Provider category of the FTAdviser Online Service Awards 2007.

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Bright Grey has enhanced its presence on Assureweb to enable multi benefit quotes. As of today, advisers will be able to quote for up to eight covers in one Bright Grey Menu Protection plan quote and access increased product flexibility on the Assureweb electronic trading platform.

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) has been selected to manage a £212 million fixed interest mandate on behalf of The Pensions Trust, one of the leading UK multi-employer occupational pension funds operating in the charitable, social, educational, voluntary and not-for-profit sectors.

Scottish Life has launched a series of regular podcasts as an additional way of communicating the latest industry news and issues to advisers.

Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life and pensions company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Aujard as Group Legal Director and Company Secretary.

Scottish Life, the pension specialist arm of the Royal London Group, has welcomed the recent report from the Pension Institute on defined contribution pensions investment.

Scottish Life International is pleased to announce that it is sponsoring Team Klaffi Honda, the world Superbike and Sidecar team.

Scottish Life, the pensions specialist arm of the Royal London Group, has introduced a new interactive meeting service to further expand its service proposition to Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs).

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) is the latest fund provider to join the EMX Message System.

HM Revenue & Customs has recently issued details of inheritance tax receipts for the year ended 31 March 2007.

New options make navigating website and obtaining customised information smoother and quicker.

Scottish Life, the pensions specialist arm of the Royal London Group, has launched a new range of Human Resources (HR) policy and procedure templates, suitable for small and medium-sized companies.

Scottish Life International welcomes the publication of the HM Revenue & Customs technical note on Discounted Gift Schemes.

Plan owner’s nearest and dearest now qualify for unique support services too.

The Board of Royal London announced today that it has approached Royal Liver Assurance Limited regarding a possible combination of our businesses.

Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life and pensions company, has announced new business figures for the first quarter of 2007.

Scottish Life is making a last call for former members1 to get in touch if they had an eligible policy at the time of the company’s demutualisation in 2001, as they may be entitled to a payment of £500 for loss of membership.

Scottish Life International has added a ‘discounted gift trust’ to its range of draft trusts for use in inheritance tax planning strategies.

Royal London Group has won a prestigious international award for the development of an IT system which successfully transferred 750 million data records for Scottish Life, the Group's specialist pensions business.

Scottish Life International has introduced a revamped Loan Trust.

Bright Grey, the protection specialist arm of Royal London Group, is implementing the new ABI standard critical illness definitions from the start of next week.

Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life and pensions company, has announced its results for 2006.

Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life and pensions company, has today announced bonuses for 2006 on its with profits policies. The announcement covers with profits policies written by Royal London, including those written under the Scottish Life brand since 1 July 2001.

Scottish Life, the pensions specialist arm of the Royal London Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Clare Thomson to the newly created position of Workplace Marketing Manager within the Corporate Business team.

Scottish Life International has introduced a new draft trust - the Bare Trust For Settlor - designed to assist investors avoid the costs and delays associated with obtaining Probate in the Isle of Man. Policies issued by Scottish Life International are Isle of Man assets and should an individual policyholder die, Isle of Man Probate will be required before ownership of the policy can be changed or payment of the policy proceeds made.

Scottish Life, the pensions specialist arm of the Royal London Group, has launched a new range of employee-focused marketing material for its Retirement Solutions range of corporate pensions. The new material has been designed to help advisers and employers promote pension schemes effectively within the workplace.

Bright Grey, the protection specialist arm of the Royal London Group, announces its appointment to the Clarkson Hill Protection Panel. This brings the number of new narrow panel and multi-tie appointments since the middle of last year to ten.

Martin Currie, the specialist investment management business based in Edinburgh, has extended the range of their funds made available through Scottish Life International’s offshore bond – the Personal Investment Management Service (PIMS).

Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life and pensions company, has announced bonus rates for with profits policies in the closed Scottish Life Fund .

Bright Grey, the protection specialist arm of Royal London Group, has appointed Jerry Bayman as Sales Manager (Corporate Protection) to spearhead a drive into the individual corporate protection market later this year.

Scottish Life International is targeting fee-based advisers by creating a new charging structure for their safe combination® bond.

Scottish Life International is disappointed with the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) decision not to increase the reporting limits for inheritance tax chargeable lifetime transfers made in the current tax year (2006-07) but is encouraged by the decision to significantly increase the limits for 2007-08 and subsequent years.

Bright Grey, the protection specialist arm of Royal London Group, has become the first protection provider to harness the full potential of Medicals Direct's new Trackberry service.

B right Grey, the protection specialist arm of the Royal London Group, has got the year off to a flying start with news of its appointment to the IFA Consortium Protection Panel. This brings to nine the number of narrow panels and multi-ties Bright Grey has joined since July 2006.

The strong performance of the Royal London UK Strategic Growth Trust has led Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) to increase its commitment to its highly successful UK Strategic Growth Trust by investing additional assets to a total of £25m.

Bright Grey, the protection specialist arm of Royal London Group, is set to launch a strategic campaign targeted at mortgage advisers. The campaign aims to raise brand awareness and help mortgage advisers see just how simple using Bright Grey’s Menu Protection Plan can be.

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) has launched a new authorised unit trust called the Royal London Ethical Bond Trust. The fund has already received £35m of initial investment and we expect further strong interest amongst institutional and wholesale investors with an ethically sensitive approach.

Scottish Life International has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer with suggestions as to matters which should be dealt with in the forthcoming Budget.

New Business Results - year ending 31 December 2006 Growth in new business continues at Royal London.

Bright Grey, the protection specialist arm of the Royal London Group, is expanding its sales team in line with ambitious growth plans for 2007. Four new sales consultants have just joined its face-to-face team.

Bright Grey, the specialist protection arm of the Royal London Group, announces that Gordon Watson, Head of Customer Care Operations, is to assume overall responsibility for Bright Grey’s customer service and underwriting functions. Gordon has been with Bright Grey since December 2004 and has been instrumental in the design and implementation of Bright Grey’s “Good to Great” service development programme.

Bright Grey, the protection specialist arm of Royal London Group, has appointed Jerry Bayman as Sales Manager (Corporate Protection) to spearhead a drive into the individual corporate protection market later this year.