George Walker has become head of UK institutional business development for Standard Life Investments within three months of being made redundant by Friends Ivory & Sime.

Walker, who has ten years' experience in the investment advisory business, will lead Standard Life's team. The team is currently four-strong but the firm has said it expects to expand on this number. It is encouraged by recent wins, which include the TUC superannuation scheme and the Lothian pension fund.