By Lars Mucklejohn Abrdn has reported improved flows and progress on its cost-saving efforts as the fund manager gears up to appoint a new chief executive. The FTSE 250 asset management group, which has been grappling with outflows from its funds in recent years, reported net inflows of £800m for the first half of 2024, marking a turnaround from £5.2bn of net outflows seen in the same period last year. Its assets under management and administration (AUMA) rose to £505.9bn from £494.9bn, which Abrdn pinned on “positive market movements and flows”. Abrdn posted an adjusted operating profit of £1…