Aviva Investors, the £290 billion funds arm of the UK insurer, posted its highest profits in six years, as management hailed an "important milestone" in its turnaround.

The fund management unit made £105 million in operating profits during 2015, up 33% from £79 million the year before, the company said in a statement March 10. That is the highest profit since the asset management division made £115 million in 2009, prior to the disposal of a large US operation.