Yesterday the company told 4,900 UK employees working from home during the UK’s lockdown not to expect to come back to the office this year.

Mike Tumilty, chief operating officer, wrote in an internal memo seen by The Times: “While we are planning for a small number of colleagues to return to office working over the coming months, we have decided that the majority of UK colleagues should continue to work remotely until the end of the year. 

“One of the consistent messages across the UK is that, where possible, people should work from home if they can and this very much applies to financial services and therefore our business.

“As the situation has developed, it has become evident that while we may see some easing of working restrictions, we do not expect this principle to change materially for the foreseeable future.”

Mr Tumilty said that Standard Life Aberdeen’s decision had been based on government guidance and would be kept under review.

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