Rachel Reeves to shake up pensions to boost UK investment Investing 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 [...]
Aviva: Direct Line buyout ‘firmly on track’ despite CMA investigation Business 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 [...]
BP chair Helge Lund to step down as Aviva chief heads search for successor Energy BP has announced that its chair Helge Lund will step down, with Aviva chief executive Amanda Blanc – a non-executive director for the blue-chip oil giant – set to lead the search for a successor. Lund is expected to stay on until 2026, which BP says will “ensure an orderly transition.” Blanc has said that [...]
Tensions flair at Direct Line following Aviva takeover bid December 1, 2024 A battle is brewing over Direct Line about whether to accept any further takeover bids from Aviva, as its CEO seeks more time to turn the business around. Talking to the Sunday Times following the rejected £3.3bn bid from Aviva last week, Direct Line CEO Adam Winslow urged shareholders to back his turnaround plan over [...]
Bosses at world’s biggest banks: Britain is ‘ready for investment’ October 14, 2024 Bosses at five of the world’s biggest banks, along with a host of insurers, private equity firms and tech giants, have backed a push to invest in the UK ahead of the government’s flagship investment summit today. More than a dozen executives signed a letter stating that they were optimistic about the future of the [...]
Aviva: We believe in the UK despite the ‘doom and gloom’ June 27, 2024 The UK's economic fundamentals remain attractive for business despite the "doom and gloom" that has plagued the country, Amanda Blanc has said.