About Us
Our HistoryOur History
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1858 | 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. |