Standard Life have reported a 43% profit rise in 2007.

The insurance company secured new business in high margin products while at the same time lowering costs.

Pre-tax profit rose 32%, to £714 million, despite investors withdrawing £249 million from policies that had not reached their maturity dates.

In reporting the results, Standard Life was also able to assure investors that it held no direct exposures to the US mortgage market.

Standard Life’s Chief Executive said: ‘We have beaten all our profitability and efficiency targets for 2007 and achieved record sales, a platform which we will build upon for further growth in years to come. Against an uncertain economic backdrop we have made a good start to 2008 and are working to improve our core profitability.’