Profits at UK insurer Standard Life's investments arm jumped 19% last year thanks to record inflows from third party investors despite turbulent equity markets in the six months to December.

The group's positive results overall, published this morning, were followed by an 11% leap in Standard's Life share price to 245.75p by 11:00 GMT. The insurance group was the fastest riser in the FTSE 100, with South African rival Old Mutual second with a 7% rise. The share price gain was also Standard Life's greatest since it floated in 2006.