Aon plc - History
Although the history of Aon's acquired firm Hudig-Langeveldt dates back to the year 1680, when it was the first commercial insurance company in the world, the genesis of the parent firm was in 1919 when W. Clement Stone founded the Combined Registry Company in Chicago IL USA. His firm would go on to become the largest door-to-door seller of accident and health insurance. The Great Depression caused Stone to trim his workforce and to focus on improved employee training, and the firm also relocated to Texas about this time.
In 1939, the Combined Registry Company aquired American Casualty Insurance Company, and followed with other acquisitions. In 1947 the firm was rebranded as the Combined Insurance Company of America. At that time it still sold mainly accident and health insurance policies.
A merger with Ryan Insurance Company in 1982 marked the beginning of a period of strong growth, with Patrick Ryan running the combined firm. Shortly thereafter the newly merged company purchased Rollins Burdick Hunter, and began operations using that name. In 1987 the firm was rebranded as Aon, a Gaelic word meaning "oneness."
Aon has continued agressively acquiring companies, including Hudig-Langeveldt, Nikols Sedgwick Group and The Minet Group among others. In 2010 it added the large human resources firm Hewitt Associates to its group of primarily insurance based businesses.
Aon announced in January 2012 that it was moving its corporate headquarters from Chicago to London to be nearer the Lloyd's of London insurance market. Its US headquarters remain in Chicago in the Aon Center building, the 3rd tallest building in Chicago and 7th tallest in the United States.
Today Aon is the world's largest reinsurance broker and employee benefits consultant, with over 72,000 employees in more than 500 offices in 120 plus countries.
In 1939, the Combined Registry Company aquired American Casualty Insurance Company, and followed with other acquisitions. In 1947 the firm was rebranded as the Combined Insurance Company of America. At that time it still sold mainly accident and health insurance policies.
A merger with Ryan Insurance Company in 1982 marked the beginning of a period of strong growth, with Patrick Ryan running the combined firm. Shortly thereafter the newly merged company purchased Rollins Burdick Hunter, and began operations using that name. In 1987 the firm was rebranded as Aon, a Gaelic word meaning "oneness."
Aon has continued agressively acquiring companies, including Hudig-Langeveldt, Nikols Sedgwick Group and The Minet Group among others. In 2010 it added the large human resources firm Hewitt Associates to its group of primarily insurance based businesses.
Aon announced in January 2012 that it was moving its corporate headquarters from Chicago to London to be nearer the Lloyd's of London insurance market. Its US headquarters remain in Chicago in the Aon Center building, the 3rd tallest building in Chicago and 7th tallest in the United States.
Today Aon is the world's largest reinsurance broker and employee benefits consultant, with over 72,000 employees in more than 500 offices in 120 plus countries.