What a sorry state this once proud Quaker founded company now finds itself in!
Despite, de-mutualising some years ago, and issuing shares at 230p each, which are now languishing at 163p, and having failed to tie up with Resolution Life at the end of 2007, they are now having to contemplate selling off the family silver in the shape of Lombard and F&C Asset Management.
Since the demise of the good old fashioned traditional "with profit" policy traditional life companies have not really had a good stand alone product to sell, and have only just been able to keep their heads above water following the Goverment's interest in promoting pension products.
This therefore to our way of thinking means as the Prudential and a few others have done, - look East young man - and discover the emerging markets of India and China, and let the home market stagnate for a bit.

It will, therefore be very interesting to see what strategy they adopt when executive Chairman Sir Adrian Montague completes his internal investigation later this month.