Hogg Robinson Group
| Company type | Public (until 2018) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance, Corporate travel management |
| Founded | 1845 |
| Founder | Francis Hogg, Augustus Robinson |
| Defunct | July 19, 2018 |
| Fate | Acquired by American Express Global Business Travel |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Key people | Neville Bain (chairman, 1997), David Radcliffe (CEO, 2000) |
| Products | Insurance services, Corporate travel management |
| Parent | American Express Global Business Travel (from 2018) |
Hogg Robinson Group operated initially within the insurance sector before expanding into corporate travel management. In July 2018, it was purchased by American Express Global Business Travel.
History
Established in 1845 by Francis Hogg, a wine merchant, and Augustus Robinson, an insurance broker and brothers-in-law, Hogg Robinson Group began by providing mercantile and insurance services from its Birchin Lane offices in the City of London. Following World War II, the company launched its travel division, which by 1984 ranked among the UK's top four travel agency operators. Its portfolio included chains such as Wakefield Fortune and Blue Star, alongside its own Hogg Robinson outlets.
In June 1993, the company divested its retail segment to Airtours (later known as MyTravel Group), which combined it with Pickfords Travel to create Going Places (subsequently part of Thomas Cook Group). Under the leadership of chairman Neville Bain in 1997, Hogg Robinson disposed of its transportation business and acquired two firms specializing in business travel. By June 1998, it had secured a 51% ownership in Canada's Rider Travel.
A £232 million management buyout led by CEO David Radcliffe took place in June 2000, supported by Schroder Ventures (currently Permira). The following year, the group sold off multiple insurance brokerage units.
International expansion included opening offices in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2006 and Charlotte, North Carolina in 2007. In March 2012, the acquisition of Spendvision was completed; this entity was rebranded as Fraedom in February 2015.
Hogg Robinson broadened its corporate travel services by purchasing eWings.com in May 2017, focusing on small and medium enterprises. Fraedom was later sold to Visa Inc. for $195 million in February 2018. Subsequently, on July 19, 2018, American Express Global Business Travel finalized the acquisition of Hogg Robinson Group for about £400 million.
The Hogg Robinson name remains active independently in Nigeria through Hogg Robinson Nigeria Limited, founded in 1974. This entity functions as an insurance broker and operates separately from the former UK-based parent company.