Our history

The Art and Private Client division is created in order to bring together Hiscox’s underwriting under common management; unifying and simplifying the interface with brokers. In the same year, Fine Art by Hiscox is relaunched.

The team in Maidenhead is responsible for developing and managing business with a focused panel of brokers throughout the south of England, with full underwriting capability to handle the core areas of insurance for business professionals and high net worth individuals.

Hiscox Syndicate 33 is named Lloyd’s Syndicate of the Year and is recognised for its outstanding underwriting performance and innovation.

In the same year, Hiscox UK is acknowledged for their excellent claims service which is continually refined on the basis of in-depth research amongst brokers and clients.

Hiscox becomes a FTSE 250 company.

Image: Hiscox 2002 Annual Report cover

Hiscox is the driving force behind the first ever catastrophe bond transaction for a Lloyd’s syndicate; a US$33 million private placement which provided Syndicate 33 with a new source of catastrophe reinsurance protection for earthquake events in the USA.

The tragic events of 11th September 2001 led to the deaths of nearly 3,000 people following the terrorist hijacking of four airliners; two of which crashed into the north and south towers of The World Trade Center, one into The Pentagon, and another which exploded in a field in Pennsylvania.

The London Market played a key role in supporting the rebuilding efforts. The day after the World Trade Center attacks, Hiscox continues to write terrorism cover – it was six months before any other insurer followed its lead.

Nicholas Thomson steps down from the Board of Hiscox plc and hands over his role of Director of Underwriting to Robert Childs.

“Nicholas is the architect of the underwriting success on which the Company was built. During his time as underwriter of Syndicate 33 it had an unbroken run of profits, and he has played a vital role as Director of Underwriting since stepping down as the Active Underwriter in 1993.” Robert Hiscox

Gavin Turk, Pop Up, 2000
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*This is an aluminium print of the original waxwork sculpture which featured in Charles Saatchi’s infamous ‘Sensation’ Exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1997.

Hiscox opens offices in Birmingham, Leeds, and Glasgow.

Bronek Masojada serves as Deputy Chairman of Lloyd’s of London from 2001 ‒ 2007.

Bronek is one of the longest-serving CEOs in the insurance industry.

Hiscox acquires the Dublin-based Construction and General Guarantee Insurance Company; established in 1984, it is the leading specialist construction bond insurer in Ireland.

The launch of hiscox.com marks Hiscox’s first online offering for specialist home insurance. Hiscox.com is developed to attract mid net worth business from professionals, executives and others who use the internet to purchase insurance.

“We have embraced the new technology and the internet.” Robert Hiscox.

Chris Ofili, Untitled, 1998
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*Chris Ofili won the Turner Prize in 1998.

Stuart Bridges joins Hiscox in 1999.

Whether the target of a professional cyber-criminal or the hapless victim of a lost laptop, our clients can rest safe in the knowledge that we cover them against the costs arising from breaches of data in any form and, just as importantly, help them to get back up and running after a breach has occurred.

Robert Hiscox comments: “By then we were into Feng Shui and I was told my colour was red. I love red and black together as it looks good, reminds me of gambling (rouge et noir) and my rich godfather called his aeroplane ‘Rouge et Noir’ and all his cars and slippers were half red and half black.”

A significant part of 20th century British Art collected by Robert Hiscox is sold by Sotheby’s in London on Thursday, 3 December 1998.

The 35 works span the entire history of British art this century. Beginning with O’Conor and Sickert at the turn of the century; Moore, Nicholson and Hepworth in the 1930s; Peter Lanyon in the second generation of Cornish artists; Freud, Auerbach and Kossoff from the School of London, the collection continues with Damien Hirst and Mark Francis who are today at the cutting edge of British Contemporary Art.

US professional liability lines is written through Syndicate 33.

The Hiscox Insurance Company (or HIC) in Guernsey is created to underwrite fine art and kidnap and ransom insurance.

In the same year, Hiscox opens an office in Harrogate in a strategic move that takes the Hiscox name out of London and increases presence in other areas of the UK.

The logo is amended to strengthen the colour.

Hiscox plc is admitted to full listing on the UK Stock Exchange.

Abigail Lane, For His Own Good, 1996
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Gavin Turk, Cave, 1991-93
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For the 1998 year of account Hiscox merges its three managed Syndicates; 33, 625 and 52 with Robert Childs appointed as Active Underwriter.

Syndicate 33 was, and is still considered one of the best syndicates in the market. Merging the two marine Syndicates (625 and 52) under the management of the highly-performing Syndicate 33 team enabled many synergies around capital requirements, reinsurance, a more focused underwriting approach and systems and accounting synergies.

‘Hiscox Partner’ is an honorary title given to employees who make significant contributions to the development and profitability of the Group. A Partner’s contribution can be in a variety of ways: through the leadership or development of an important area or line of business, or through technical and operational expertise that benefits the business significantly. Most have taken a risk in their careers and many have made personal sacrifices for Hiscox, whether moving into an unproven or new area for the Group or relocating themselves and their families. The Partners are the leaders of our business and individually and collectively influence our Group’s development and success.

Image (from left to right): Ralph Jones, Robert Childs, Robert Hiscox. Stuart Bridges, Nicholas Thomson and Bronek Masojada.