History

The origins of the Group can be traced back to the UK in 1970, with the founding of Liberty Life Assurance Company Limited ("Liberty Life") by Dr Polonsky. Liberty Life initially provided single premium bond products to a high net worth client base and by the late 1970's, had expanded its operations into regular premium business utilising a direct sales force as well as intermediaries. Following further expansion, including into fund management operations, the business was reorganised in 1986 under a new holding company, Hansard Financial Trust Limited, otherwise known as Polar Cap Limited. Also in 1986, the Group began to focus on international business with the incorporation of Hansard International in the Isle of Man. Hansard International was authorised by the Insurance and Pensions Authority as a writer of long-term assurance business. In 1987, the then Group began providing financial advisory and intermediary services to high net worth clients

In 1994, a strategic decision was made to withdraw from the UK life assurance market, to concentrate on providing products of a type now sold by the Group through intermediaries rather than selling direct to policyholders, and to expand into international markets. Accordingly, the UK life assurance business was sold in 1995, followed by the closure of the Group's direct sales channel and fund management operation in 1999 and 2000, respectively.

The launch of Hansard Online in 1999 represented a key step in the Group's ongoing strategic development to offering products for intermediaries targeting the international high net worth, mass affluent and expatriate markets.

Hansard Global plc was incorporated in April 2005 for the purpose of holding all the subsidiaries and assets formerly held by Polar Cap Limited. The Company then became the sole owner of all the Group's operating subsidiaries and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

The Company was listed on the London Stock Exchange on 18th December 2006, prior to the listing, the Company was privately owned and controlled by the principal shareholder, Dr L.S. Polonsky, the current Executive Chairman.

To view 2008 Annual Report click: Annual Report & Accounts 2008

2009 Interim Report & Accounts to be available from October