Standard Life Investments (SLI) head of equities David Cummings is to leave the firm to 'pursue other interests', becoming the first departure after a proposed merger with Aberdeen Asset Management. Mr. Cummings' exit comes in the same week as parent firm Standard Life confirmed a deal to merge with Aberdeen in an £11 billion all-share deal, creating the UK's largest asset manager. It brings an end to a 19-year stint with the Scottish firm. Mr. Cummings joined in 1998, becoming head of UK equities in 2000 and was appointed as an executive director in 2004, overseeing the firm's entire equities business while retaining his UK focus.