History

The Insurance Institute of Southampton was formed in 1913.

Today the Institute has over 2500 members including PFS and 20 Council Members. We are one of the largest local Institutes by member size.

On the 4th April 1913 a meeting was held in Ocean Chambers, Above Bar, chaired by Mr E W Blew at which 12 others were present. The object of that meeting was to consider the desirability of forming an `Insurance Institute of Southampton. Mr Blew of Ocean Accident was proposed to be the first President.

The first general meeting which 50 gentlemen attended was held in Lowman’s Café, Above Bar on the 18th April 1913.

The Institute held its Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1963 culminating with a banquet in the Guildhall.

Pat Farley became the first female president in 1985 and in 2017 Alyson Farmer became our 9th female President.

The Institute celebrated its 100th year in 2013, Mike Hillier had the honour of being the Centenary President, and celebrations included a lunch on a cruise ship docked in Southampton.

A full history of the Southampton Institute was updated by Mike Hillier and Ian Ritchie for the Centenary celebration.