The QBE Insurance Group is Australia's largest general insurance and reinsurance group. The growth of QBE Group, nationally and internationally, since its small beginnings in 1886, is the story of an institution that for more than 120 years has played a significant part in Australian commercial history.
In October 1886, James Burns and Robert Philp, two young Scotsmen, formed The North Queensland Insurance Company Limited. By 1890, the company had established over 36 agencies in countries such as London, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and many Pacific Islands.
The QBE name is derived from three originating companies:
the "Q" in QBE comes from Queensland Insurance, Bankers' and Traders' and Equitable merger in 1973 with the new holding company,
QBE Insurance Group Limited being listed on the Australian Securities Exchange,
the "B" in QBE comes from Bankers' and Traders' Insurance Company Limited formed in 1921,
the "E" in QBE comes from The Equitable Probate and General Insurance Co. Limited acquired in 1959.
Since those early beginnings and through stable growth, merger and strategic acquisition, QBE has grown to become one of the top 25 insurers and reinsurers worldwide. QBE now operates in all key insurance markets with offices in 52 countries and over 16,000 employees worldwide. We look forward to the future with the same excitement, determination and enthusiasm that our founders did in 1886.
| Key milestones in the growth of QBE European Operations | |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Secura acquired |
| 2009 | Carlife acquired Endurance Property business acquired Burnetts acquired Evergreen brand purchased Offices established in Canada and Dubai |
| 2008 | Office established in Romania |
| 2007 | Offices established in Sweden and Switzerland |
| 2005 | Greenhill Underwriting Group acquired Minibus Plus acquired British Marine Holdings acquired Offices established in Denmark, Germany and Spain |
| 2004 | Offices established in Czech Republic and Estonia |
| 2003 | Ensign acquired |
| 2000 | Limit plc acquired Iron Trades acquired Offices established in Macedonia and Slovakia |
| 1999 | Offices established in Bulgaria and Italy |
| 1998 | Offices established in Hungary and Ukraine |
| 1997 | Office established in France |
| 1974 | QBE formed, taking the initials from Queensland, Bankers and Equitable |
| 1974 | Merger with Bankers and Traders Insurance Company |
| 1959 | North Queensland Insurance Company acquires Equitable Probate and General Insurance |
| 1904 | Office established in London |
| 1886 | The North Queensland Insurance Company formed |