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Our History

Royal London Group consists of The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited and its subsidiaries. We are the UK's largest mutual life and pensions company. 

The Group's businesses offer pensions, life assurance, savings and investment products, protection insurance and provide investment management. Products are distributed principally under the Royal London, Scottish Life and Bright Grey brands, through independent financial advisers and employee benefit consultants.

Key dates 
Year What happened
1835 Refuge Assurance founded in Manchester by James Proctor and a group of Manchester businessmen
1861 Royal London founded as a Friendly Society in a London coffee shop by Henry Ridge and Joseph Degge
1881 Scottish Life founded in Edinburgh as a Proprietary Company
1908 United Friendly founded in Southwark by Edwin Richard Balding
Royal London becomes a Mutual
1968 Scottish Life converts from a proprietary company, becoming a Mutual
1972 Royal London begins relocation to Colchester
1987 Refuge Assurance moves into current Wilmslow site
1989 Royal London Asset Management established as separate company
1996 Scottish Life International launched in Douglas, Isle of Man
United Friendly and Refuge Assurance merge to form United Assurance Group, trading as United Friendly
2000 Royal London acquires United Assurance Group (UAG) for £1.6bn
2001 Scottish Life demutualises. Royal London acquires Scottish Life for £1.1bn
2003 Bright Grey is launched. Bright Grey is a new business specialising in protection insurance.
2004 March 15 2004, Royal London Group registered office: 55 Gracechurch Street, City of London.
 2007  Fundsdirect joins Royal London Group in November 2007.
 2008  Acquisition of new businesses including Scottish Provident, Scottish Provident International and Phoenix Life Assurance.