NEWS IN BRIEF

UK assurer Standard Life... is set to announce plans to launch a manager-of-managers investment service in a bid to win more business from independent financial advisers, the Financial Times reports. Details of the plan emerged as Standard Life prepared to release details about selling the products of rival retail fund providers for the first time. From next April, it will offer about 60 funds provided by 11 external fund managers, including Baillie Gifford, Gartmore and Jupiter.