Sun Life Financial has entered into an agreement to sell SLF of Canada UK Limited to Phoenix Group Holdings.
Headquartered in London, Phoenix Group is the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business with more than 13 million customers and £310 billion of assets under administration.
Sun Life UK manages life and pension policies and annuity blocks for UK Clients. The company is closed to new sales and has been operating as a run-off business in the life and pension policies segment since 2001.
Sun Life will sell Sun Life UK to Phoenix Group for a closing price of £248 million and will retain its economic interest in UK’s payout annuities business.
This transaction will also provide further growth opportunities for Sun Life’s asset management businesses.
As part of the sale, Sun Life will form a long-term partnership to become a strategic asset management partner to Phoenix Group. Sun Life’s asset management companies, MFS and SLC Management, will continue to manage approximately C$9 billion of Sun Life UK’s general account upon the close of the sale.
Phoenix Group has set a goal to invest approximately US$25 billion in North American public and private fixed income and alternative investments over the next five years. MFS and SLC Management will be material partners to Phoenix Group in achieving this goal.
We’re excited to partner with Phoenix Group. A great deal of consideration was taken to find the right buyer and partner for our UK business. Phoenix Group is a purpose-led company with similar values to Sun Life and a strong focus on delivering outcomes for their customers.
Kevin Strain, President and CEO of Sun Life
“We’re also pleased about our asset management partnership, which will bring the strength of MFS and SLC Management to Phoenix Group customers. Thank you to our UK team for all of their efforts in delivering solid results year-after-year in our life, pension and annuities businesses. We believe Phoenix Group will be a great organization for our UK employees and Clients.” – Kevin Strain, President and CEO of Sun Life.
This partnership will complement our existing relationships and further enhance our liquid and illiquid credit capabilities in North America by building on their strong presence in the region
Andy Briggs, Phoenix Group, CEO
This acquisition is highly attractive for Phoenix Group. As the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business with a strong track record of UK closed book integrations, Phoenix look forward to offering a safe home for Sun Life UK Clients over the long term and enabling them to benefit from our broad range of Standard Life products in our Open division.
