Endsleigh Insurance

Endsleigh Insurance was a British insurance intermediary based in Cheltenham, specialising in the student, education, graduate, and sport markets. It was the preferred insurer for several unions and professional associations. It was bought by Howden in 2021 and completed its merger on 15 October 2024, with all staff transferred to Howden.

History

Endsleigh was conceived by Michael Jeremy Naylor, a former University of Nottingham student, and was founded in 1965 by the National Union of Students (NUS) to provide tailored insurance services to university and college students. The company was named after Endsleigh Street in Bloomsbury, London, on the Duke of Bedford's Bedford Estate, where the NUS had its headquarters at the time. With Mike Naylor as its managing director, it later expanded into the graduate and professional markets. It has been the only insurer recommended by the NUS and became the preferred insurance supplier for several professional associations, including the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) and the University and College Union (UCU).

In 1970, Endsleigh moved from its London headquarters to Cheltenham. In 1976, the NUS sold 100% of the company to Gouda Insurance International, though the NUS retained two seats on the board and bought back a 14% shareholding in 1982. In July 1995, founder Mike Naylor was killed in a car crash in Southern France at the age of 59.

From 1993 to 1996, Endsleigh sponsored the English Football League. From 1988 to 1999, it was the main shirt sponsor for Burnley F.C., and from 1997 to 1999 for Cheltenham Town F.C.

Zurich era

In April 2002, a management buyout led by managing director Mike Alcock bought out Gouda and formed a partnership with Zurich Financial Services. The company moved into the business market in 2000. In January 2007, Zurich acquired 100% shareholding. As of 1 September 2008, Endsleigh discontinued its local branch service (which had comprised 119 UK branches). In early 2011, the operations centre in Belfast was closed, and the firm operated solely from its Cheltenham head office.

A-Plan Holdings and Howden

In March 2018, Endsleigh was acquired by A-Plan Holdings. In 2021, it was bought by Howden, and the merger was completed on 15 October 2024.

Products

Endsleigh offered insurance products including student insurance, car insurance, home insurance, landlord insurance, travel insurance, business insurance, charity insurance, and student union insurance.

Corporate information