Lumley Logo

The Lumley family heritage in insurance

Led by John Lumley, the company has grown consistently for over years and we now have about 35 colleagues, including three family members, working from our offices in Cirencester and London. We are proud to assign a named point of contact to every client, and to have dedicated claims advisors who are there to support clients when it matters most.

Speak to an expert
Schedule a call

The Lumley Timeline

John Lumley's 25th year at the helm of the company that became Lumley Insurance

2026

New growth strategy harnesses partnerships and a concerted approach to educating advisors. 

Growth of Lumley Insurance

2010 to date

  • Lumley Insurance private client insurance grows tenfold
  • 30+ employees
  • International aircrew benefits schemes established (later sold to Ardonagh)  
John Lumley leads period of consolidation

2002 - 2010

  • John Lumley's brother-in-law Mike St Aubyn dies. John helps run the family brokerage which had 5 staff and turnover IRO £285,000

2003 

  • Lumley Australia & NZ sold to Wesfarmers (family retains UK operations as Lumley Holdings)

2004–2005 

  • Brother Christopher Lumley returns from Chile and joins the firm

2007 

  • Lumley Holdings/Letsure sold 
  • John & Christopher buy out their sister’s share; Lumley Insurance Ltd grows significantly. 
John Lumley's early career

1980s - 90s

1982

John begins his insurance career at Willis (aviation broker). 

Late 1980s–1990s 

1987 

  • Leaves Willis to join a new startup funded by Rollins Burdick Hunter (later Aon). Aviation division grows substantially.
  • John becomes youngest Executive Director at Aon
  • Works globally: Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Africa. 
  • Handles remarkable risks such as:
  • first policy in Lloyd’s including AIDS coverage (for British Aerospace). 
  • Insurance for French hostages in Gulf War. 
  • Loss-adjustment cases in Peru/Bolivia involving narco-terrorist regions.

 

  • Joins board of Edward Lumley Holdings as Non-Executive Director (serves 12 years). 
John Lumley 2001
    • Leaves Aon to start “TeaInsure” (tech aviation platform). 
    • 9/11 occurs one week after his non-compete expires → aviation market collapses → business model becomes unviable. 
    • Renames venture Global Aviation Insurance Network; signs up members worldwide. 
Benjamin “Benny” Cohen & Edith Lumley

1901

  • Benjamin (Benny) Cohen - John Lumley's great grandfather - moves to London from Melbourne, Australia; begins arranging insurance for friends and opens Benny Cohen & Sons (insurance agency).

  • Marries Edith Lumley; their son is named Edward Lumley Cohen.

Edward Lumley Cohen (John Lumley’s grandfather)

Early 1900s

  • The young Edward Lumley works for a stockbroker until he resigns after being denied agreed commission (“A man’s word is his bond”) → joins father’s insurance business.

John Lumley's Grandfather - Edward Lumley

  • While his father is abroad, he converts the firm into a direct Lloyd's broker and places an “unplaceable” marine risk, impressing the market and securing ongoing marine business.

Edward Lumley

1920s

Edward Lumley travels to Perth, Australia carrying a Lloyd’s binding authority (Raymond Sturge syndicate). 

  • Establishes jewellers’ associations to bypass tariff cartel rates. 
  • Opens additional offices across Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin. 
  • Founds what becomes Lumley Insurance in Australia.

In a major reputation-defining event, a farmer verbally accepts cover. Before the paperwork is issued, his farm burns down. 

Edward persuades Lloyd’s underwriters to pay the claim. This builds trust and accelerates growth. 

Edward Lumley post war

Post WWI

Edward Lumley leads a donor group helping to rebuild the bomb-damaged Royal College of Surgeons. Their donation of £200,000 funds the Edward Lumley Hall and establishes Anglo-Australian surgical fellowships.

Richard Lumley (John Lumley's father)

Post WWII

Richard Lumley serves as a young officer in the Coldstream Guards during WWII, and takes over the international Lumley group after his father dies. The group has (operations in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Ceylon, Malaya, South Africa, Namibia, France, US and Canada. 

1960–1985 

  • Chairs the Lumley group for 25 years. 
  • Expands into Ireland, US 
  • Established school fees insurance via C. Howard & Partners 
  • Oversees shift toward domestic Australian underwriting as the market matures. 
Richard Lumley

1980s 

Richard sells Edward Lumley & Sons (Lloyd’s broker) to Hogg Robinson (later Aon). 

  • Sells Lumley House, St Mary Axe (1988), and relocates HQ to Tower Hill then 99 Bishopsgate (1996). 
  • Family acquires 100%of Lumley Australia/NZ. 
Henry Lumley (John's Uncle)

Henry Lumley (John’s uncle) 

  • Chairman of: 
  • Lloyd’s Insurance Brokers Committee (LIBC) 
  • British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) 
  • Major benefactor of the Royal College of Surgeons → funds Lumley Library (donation: £1 million, early 2010s).