1. A colourful history

2. Contents Key dates and milestones Lloyd’s buildings
Lloyd’s history and tradition

3. Key dates and milestones

4. 17TH century
1694
The Bank of England is established by William Paterson
1605
Gunpowder plot
1688
First known reference
to Edward Lloyd’s coffee house in Tower Street. (London Gazette February 1688)
1666
Great fire of London
1691
Edward Lloyd moves
his business to
Lombard Street

5. circa 1680 Lloyd's coffee house first appeared in tower street

6. 1688 ships and cargos underwritten

7. 18TH century 1712 1796 1769 C. 1750 1775-83 First steam engine
The Committee resolves that two ordinary general meetings should be held each year and an annual
report and accounts should be presented
1769
A breakaway group of professional underwriters establishes New Lloyd’s Coffee House in Pope’s Head Alley
C. 1750
Beginning of the Industrial Revolution
War of American Independence

8. 1771 Lloyd's becomes the property of the subscribers

9. 19TH century
1880s
Cuthbert Heath, a prominent Lloyd’s underwriter, writes first Lloyd’s reinsurance policy on American risks for a British company doing business in the US
1805
Battle of Trafalgar
1838
Royal Exchange and many early Lloyd’s records destroyed by fire on 10 January
1837
Victoria crowned Queen of England
1876
Invention of the telephone

10. 1871 Lloyd's act of parliament

11. 1887 First non marine risk underwritten
Late 1880s First US risk underwritten

12. 20TH century 1939-45 1998 1903 1912 1969 Second World War
In January, government
announces independent regulation of Lloyd’s by the Financial Services
Authority effective from midnight on 30 November 2001
1903
The Committee accepts
first non-marine deposit, establishing non-marine
market alongside marine business
1912
Titanic sinks
1969
First man on the moon

13. 1906 San Francisco earthquake

14. 1925 Central fund created
1939 Lloyd’s American trust established

15. 1988-92 a string of losses threaten Lloyd's future
Piper Alpha
Asbestosis
Hurricane Hugo
Exxon Valdez
Hurricane Andrew
European Storms

16. 1994 Introduction of Corporate Capital
1996 Reconstruction & Renewal completed

17. 1997 Lloyd’s returns to its roots, underwriting the world’s largest ever marine risk.

18. 2001 9/11

19. 2002 New franchise proposals approved
2005 Hurricanes Katrina, Rita & Wilma

20. 2006 Equitas – Berkshire Hathaway transaction
2007 Lloyd’s China established

21. Lloyd’s buildings

22. 1688 Lloyd’s coffee house tower street
1774 The Royal Exchange Cornhill

23. Leadenhall Street
Lime Street

24. 1986 One Lime Street A building with a strong image of quality.

25. Lloyd’s and tradition

26. The Lutine Bell
Traditionally rung to herald important announcements.

27. Nelson at Lloyd’s
From almost his first days in the Royal Navy in 1771, Nelson’s Fortunes were associated with those of Lloyd’s.

28. Lloyd’s waiters
Lloyd’s waiters used to be sent down to the dockside to bring news of the new ships. The waiters can still be seen at Lloyd’s today.

29. The Adam room
Originally designed by Robert Adam in 1763 as part of Bowood House, the Adam Room was inspired by a visit to Rome, leading Adam to create a look of classical antiquity.

30. The Adam room
The whole room was purchased by Lloyd's and now provides a striking contrast with the post-modern architecture of the present Lloyd's building. 

31. Disclaimer
This document is intended for general information purposes only. The information contained within this document is accurate as at 31 December Whilst all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, Lloyd’s does not accept any responsibility for any errors and omissions. Lloyd’s does not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss to any person acting or refraining from action as the result of, but not limited to, any statement, fact, figure, expression of opinion or belief in this document.