Retail demand for funds is becoming more healthy, according to Standard Life Investments chief executive Keith Skeoch, following a 67% rise in overall net sales to third parties totalling £5.7bn (€6.5bn) in the calendar year 2009.

Skeoch said: "Retail demands tends to lag recovery but our rise in sales, which is taking place in different parts of the world, is encouraging". Net retail sales in the UK quintupled to £669m, in India, sales jumped from £400m to £2bn, partly due to retail wins and Canada rose from £52m to £1.5bn.