SAINTS sponsor Friends Provident has unveiled a 29 per cent rise in profits to £344m.

The hefty rise follows a year which saw the company close its direct sales force and reorganise its network of appointed representatives.

The company, which employs more than 1,100 in Salisbury, currently has a 4.3 per cent share of the UK life and pensions market.

Friends listed on the stock market in 2001 and since then has seen its funds under management grow four-fold from £30 billion to more than £120 billion.

A statement from the company said it was now more diverse and financially robust after taking steps to create a business focused on asset management as well as life and pensions.