Edmond Warner has been named chief executive of Old Mutual Financial Services, responsible for UK businesses in a newly created role, as the group's first-half operating profits came in only slightly lower than last year's.

The UK businesses, which have more than £20bn (€33bn) under management and 2,500 staff, include Gerrard, a private client stockbroker, GNI, a broker, and Old Mutual Asset Management (UK).