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Looking through the list of Past Presidents and the companies they worked for is looking through not only a history of this local institute but also a history of the insurance market in Sheffield. There are names from the recent past that many will recall and there are names which now are well into history and at best only vaguely remembered. Recalling the past and the names involved is a trait we humans specialise in and when celebrating a centenary, as we are doing this year, it gives everyone a real excuse to revel in nostalgia. There will be plenty ‘Do you remember so-and-so’ and ‘Do you remember when ……’
The year 1897 saw the existence of ten "insurance institutes" and James Ostler (of the Northern), president of Manchester 1896-8, proposed a bringing together of existing institutes after a dinner at the Reform Club. This culminated in the formation of The Federation of Insurance Institutes of Great Britain and Ireland.
The year 1912, just 15 years later, saw not only the formation of this Institute but also the Insurance Institute being granted its Royal Charter by King George V - so we have a double centenary and we are in the process of arranging celebratory events, keep an eye on our website for full details. Celebrations will culminate in our Centenary Dinner at the Cutlers Hall in Sheffield where our principal guest will be Sir Matthew Pinsent CBE.
I hope to see you during the year at one or more of the events, whether sporting, social or business, and would ask that you do not hesitate to contact either myself or one of the members of council should you have any queries or require any information.
Tony Wood
President Insurance Institute of Sheffield
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