British Engine Boiler & Electrical Insurance Co. Ltd 1878 - 1991

The Company was founded in Manchester on November 12 1878 under the title of 'The Engine and Boiler Insurance Company' with RB Longridge as Chairman and Micheal Longridge (his nephew) as Chief Engineer. The Longridge family were established engineers at the beginning of the 19th Century. They were originally iron masters from Bedlington, Northumberland who also supplied castings and forgings. They were involved in the early development of industrial steam engines and were business partners with both George and Robert Stephenson. RB Longridge formed The Steam Boiler Assurance Company in 1859 but later resigned. Following his resignation he formed 'The Engine and Boiler Insurance Company Limited'. Within two years the name changed to 'The Engine, Boiler and Employers' Liability Company Limited'. In 1903, the Silver Jubilee year the title 'British Engine, Boiler and Electrical Insurance Company Limited' was adopted, and in 1978 the title was abbreviated to 'British Engine Insurance Limited'. Members of the Longridge family continued to serve the Insurance Company from the early days until the introduction of nuclear power. The family association terminated in 1966 with the retirement of HM Longridge. The name of Longridge was perpetuated in the title of the Head Office building in Manchester- Longridge House, erected in 1959 on a site embracing that of the original Manchester Steam Users Association of which RB Longridge was Chief Inspector.

Unfortunately however Longridge House had to be demolished in 1997 due to the massive structural damage it sustained following the IRA bomb explosion from a van which was parked outside the building. The Royal Insurance Group owned the building at the time and Marks and Spencer now occupy the site.