Learning From Yesterday. Investing In Tomorrow.

The Lumley name has been associated with enterprise, entrepreneurship and long-term thinking since the early twentieth century. Whilst the original family insurance business has evolved, our commitment to identifying opportunities, supporting talented people and creating sustainable value remains as strong as ever.

The Lumley family story

The Lumley Family Story

The story of the Lumley family in business began in the early twentieth century when Bennie S. Cohen returned from Australia to England and started arranging insurance through the London market. Under the leadership of his son, Edward Lumley, the business grew into an international enterprise, establishing operations across the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. Through vision, entrepreneurship and a willingness to embrace opportunity, the family built a reputation for integrity, innovation and long-term thinking that has endured for more than 125 years.

Over five generations, the Lumley family has remained committed to the principles that helped build the business: putting reputation first, taking a long-term view, embracing change and creating opportunities for future generations. These values enabled the family enterprise to navigate changing markets, economic cycles and global expansion whilst maintaining a strong sense of purpose and stewardship.

Following the successful sale of the original insurance businesses, the family entered a new chapter. Today, Lumleys.Net serves as the family office and investment platform through which the family's interests are managed and developed. The focus has broadened to include technology, venture investing, property, leisure, hospitality and other entrepreneurial opportunities, whilst remaining true to the values established by previous generations.

The Lumley story continues to evolve, guided by a belief that each generation inherits a legacy, preserves its values and creates new opportunities for those who follow. The objective is not simply to celebrate the achievements of the past, but to build upon them and ensure that the spirit of enterprise, stewardship and innovation continues long into the future.

Foundations

The origins of Edward Lumley Holdings Ltd occurred when Bennie S. Cohen was asked by a number of Australian friends to arrange insurance in the London market at Lloyd’s which he did through a Lloyd’s Broker.  In 1910 a young Edward joined the firm and while his father Bennie S Cohen went to Australia the broker they were using went out of business.  He decided to make the firm a Lloyd’s Broker.  This he did as well as forming a Limited Company, Bennie S. Cohen & Son Ltd.  This was in 1913 and in 1914 Edward joined up and the firm was kept going with great difficulty while the war was on. 

More Recently

In 2003 a strategic review indicated that the Australian and New Zealand Insurance companies would need extra capital if they were going to continue to grow.  Already a good deal of profit was being paid away to quota share reinsurers to ensure sufficient capital for business currently being written.  The options were to float again and loose control over time or to sell.  After careful consideration it was felt that the second option would produce the best option going forward as with our large families having all the family wealth in one insurance company which would always be subject to volatile returns.  The nature of insurance did not seem to be the best option for the next generations.