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Robert Ralph Scrymgeour Hiscox DL (born 4 January 1943) is a British businessman, art collector, and philanthropist. He was chairman of Hiscox Ltd, a firm of Lloyd's of London underwriters, for 43 years until his retirement in 2013.

Career

Hiscox is the son of Ralph Hiscox, who was a founding partner in Roberts & Hiscox in 1946. He was educated at Rugby School, followed by Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he earned a degree in economics and law. He joined Hiscox Ltd in 1965 as an underwriter of fine art and personal accident insurance.

After his father died in 1970, he took control of the partnership as Anthony Roberts, the other co-founder, moved aside. Roberts & Hiscox gradually incorporated, starting in 1993 by becoming Hiscox plc. It grew from a Lloyd's underwriter to the international insurance company, Hiscox Ltd, headquartered in Bermuda. He was the company's chairman for 43 years until his retirement in 2013, then honorary president until 2017.

Hiscox was deputy chairman of Lloyd's from 1993 to 1995, and helped save it from the brink of collapse.

Philanthropy

Hiscox is chairman of the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, a charity which works in partnership with Wiltshire Police to provide home security advice for elderly, vulnerable and disadvantaged people throughout Wiltshire.

He has hosted the Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally annually in June for a number of years, at Rainscombe Park, Oare, Wiltshire. In 2014, he saved the White Horse Bookshop on Marlborough High Street from closure. He was High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 2011–2012 and a Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire until 2018.

Personal life

Hiscox was married first to Lucy Mills, and secondly to Lady Julia Meade (third daughter of the 6th Earl of Clanwilliam). He has five sons, and lives in Wiltshire.

References

1. Wynn, Sheridan (10 September 2006). "Business Interview: Robert Hiscox, Chairman, Hiscox". The Independent. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
2. "Robert Hiscox – Insurance Day Summit London 2014". insurancedaysummit.com. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
3. ^ Julia Kollewe. "Robert Hiscox to bow out of insurer after 43 years at helm | Business". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
4. "Hiscox Partners | Hiscox Corporate". Hiscoxgroup.com. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
5. "Business Interview: Robert Hiscox, Chairman, Hiscox | The Independent". The Independent. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
6. "Bobby People". The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
7. "About Us". WAPG. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
8. "Marlborough's White Horse bookshop saved | The Bookseller". thebookseller.com. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
9. Deputy Lieutenant Commissions: Lieutenancy of Wiltshire The London Gazette. 4 February 2013.
10. "The Marcus Scriven profile: Robert Hiscox". The Insurance Insider. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2017.

• 1943 births
• Living people
• British businesspeople in insurance
• British art collectors
• British Eurosceptics
• Insurance underwriters
• People educated at Rugby School
• Alumni of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
• Deputy lieutenants of Wiltshire
• High sheriffs of Wiltshire