October 2009

Skandia today announces the two senior roles within its sales team. Andy Davies takes up the role as director of adviser sales; while Steve Powell takes the role of director of corporate partners.

Sales of risk rated funds are set to rise with nearly a third of advisers saying they expect to increase their use of these investment solutions over the coming year, according to new research by Skandia. In a move likely to be driven by volatile markets, 29% of advisers surveyed will recommend risk rated funds to a growing number of clients.

On 30th October, Skandia staff in Bristol will host a charity Halloween party with proceeds going to the Bobby Moore Fund. With all proceeds from the event going to the Bobby Moore fund, the event will be held at the Aces Bar in Clifton Bristol and will feature music, food and drink.

The latest critical illness and death claims (to July 2009) from Skandia show that it has paid out 92% of critical illness claims made so far this year. Those not paid were due to the illness definition not being met.

Next week, Skandia staff from Redhill will be donning their gardening gloves in an in an exciting new project with Salfords Primary School to build a new sensory garden for the Redhill-based school.

This week, Skandia staff in Bristol, armed with paint brushes, garden shears, spades and plants will take over the Totterdown Children’s Community Workshop (TCCW), in a bid to rejuvenate the workshop’s facilities.

Almost two thirds of financial advisers expect to do more business on platforms over the next 12 months, with the benefits of consolidating investments in one place being the primary driver of this increase.

This week, Skandia staff in Manchester will lend a helping hand to the Addy Young People’s Centre by enhancing and revitalising the existing facilities at the Wythenshawe based charity. On Thursday, 8 October the team of Skandia volunteers will give a full business day as well as some of their personal time to complete the project which includes regenerating the outdoor play area and developing an Eco Garden with several interactive play-stations.

Trustees and their advisers have six months to go to prepare for the increase in tax rates that come into force from April 2010, bringing a new top tax rate of 50% on trusts, warns Skandia.

Skandia’s ISA clients who will be aged 50 or over on 5th April 2010 have the opportunity to invest another £1.5 billion in their ISAs this year, according to figures released today.