Standard Life plc is engaged in the asset managing business. The Company operates in five segments: United Kingdom financial services, Canada, Europe, Asia Pacific and Investment management. The United Kingdom financial services segment is a pension, long-term savings and investment provider. It offers a range of insurance and investment wrappers. Standard Life plc’s Canada segment offers savings, retirement and insurance products. The operations of the Europe segment consist of Standard Life Ireland and Standard Life Germany, which operates in both Germany and Austria. The European businesses offer a range of investment and pension solutions. The Company’s Asia Pacific segment includes joint venture companies in India and China and a wholly owned subsidiary in Hong Kong. Investment management segment develops and expands new products, like Global Absolute Return Strategies (GARS). On October 10, 2008, it acquired Vebnet (Holdings) plc.