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Eagle Star was founded in 1904 by Edward Mortimer Mountain, a Lloyd's broker. It began as a marine business under the name British Dominions Marine Insurance Company. Its origins began in 1807 through its constituent companies. Within the first ten years, the company had expanded into general business, fire and motor insurance. In 1911 the name changed to British Dominions General. New departments were opened for accident and employers' liability in 1914. In 1916 the company further expanded into life business. In May 1917 the company became Eagle and British Dominions to reflect the acquisition of Eagle Insurance Company in December 1916. In December 1917, following the merger with the Star, the name changed to Eagle, Star and British Dominions. In 1937 the company name was shortened to Eagle Star.
Edward Mountain was knighted for his contribution to insurance in 1918, by which time the company had become the largest composite offices in the United Kingdom. Advertising was a key component in the success of the company, mainly through the work of A F Shepherd, Publicity Manager. All-In policy (1915) and Victory War Loan (1917) were launched with high-level publicity campaigns. Between the First and Second World Wars further schemes included free newspaper insurance, Pluvius weather underwriting business, and an department specialising in women's insurance needs. Expansion saw the development of a network of agencies and branches in United Kingdom and abroad, supported by local boards consisting of business and professional men from each region. After 1945 further extensions to the network were made alongside the establishment and acquisition of companies world-wide including specialist insurance companies such as Navigators and General, and Home and Overseas.
Sir Edward Mountain died in 1948 and business continued under the leadership of his son Sir Brian Mountain. Sir Brian's son Denis succeeded him as Chairman in 1974 until his retirement in 1985. Staff clubs included Eagle Dramatic and Operatic Society. This began with Norwood Club Dramatic and Musical Society in 1921 from staff at Eagle Star British Dominions and Cox's Bank. In 1927 the society was closed and EDOS was established. The last production was 1939.
Eagle Star's first head office was at 1 Threadneedle Street, City of London (1925). With the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, administrative functions were evacuated to Cobham Park, Surrey, while other departments were housed in the Cobham area. After 1945, the head office at Threadneedle Street was rebuilt and re-opened in 1968. New administrative head office and computer centre was opened in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, as Eagle Star House. The name changed to Eagle Star Centre in 1994. The building became known as UK Life Tower in 1999 and was sold in 2003.
In 1984 Eagle Star became part of B.A.T Industries plc and saw diversification into financial services. In 1998 it became part of Zurich Financial Services Group.
The following companies were acquired by Eagle Star and are represented in collection:
Albion Fire and Life Assurance Company
Allied Traders Insurance Company
Army, Navy and General Assurance Association Limited
British Crown Assurance Corporation Limited
British Northwestern Fire Insurance Company
Cattle Traders' Insurance Company Limited
City of London Insurance Company Limited
City of London Life Assurance
Commonwealth Insurance Company Limited
Eagle Insurance Company
English and Scottish Law Life Assurance Association Limited
Fred Haigh and Company Limited
Home and Overseas Insurance Company Limited
Launderers Mutual Insurance Company Limited
Liverpool Reversionary Company Limited
London Mutual Life and Guarantee Society
National Mercantile Life Assurance Society
Navigators and General Insurance Company Limited
Palladium Life and Fire Assurance Society
Philatelic Insurances Limited
Premier Motor Policies Limited
Publishers and General Insurance Company Limited
Removers and General Insurance Company Limited
Sceptre Life Association Limited
Security National Insurance Company
Solicitors and General Assurance Society
Star Assurance Society Limited
Star Fire Insurance Company
Star Life Assurance Society Limited
Theatres Mutual Insurance Company Limited
Trent Insurance Company Limited
United Dominions Insurance Company Limited
Source of information: These details have been summarised from 'A short history' (xix-xxi) in Eagle Star, A Guide to its History and Archives (1997). The same publication also contains The Making of Eagle Star by Oliver M Westall (pp 1-16).