Pensions giant Standard Life threatens transfer to England if Scotland votes for independence

The statement is the biggest confirmation yet that major Scottish companies are preparing for a shift south if Scotland votes to secede. Standard Life was the first FTSE 100 company based north of the border to warn of the risks of independence back in February .

The company, founded in Edinburgh in 1829, has over 1m shareholders around the world, and 6m customers, managing over £250bn worth of assets, around £100bn of that wrapped up in pensions.

"Standard Life has a long history in Scotland – a heritage of which we are very proud – and we hope that this continues but our responsibility is to protect the interests of our customers, our shareholders, our people and other stakeholders in our business," David Nish, the company's chief executive said.

Standard Life, along with other large financial institutions in Scotland, has seen shares fall this week after polling suggested the vote would go down to the wire.

Among the risks Mr Nish outlined to do with an independent Scotland were what currency the country would use, its membership of the European Union, and the shape of financial regulation and taxation regimes.

Shares in the group traded higher following the announcement.

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