TH March, the UK’s leading specialist jewellery insurance broker, is celebrating its 135th anniversary. Founded in 1887 by the son of a Hatton Garden diamond merchant, the firm made its name providing specialist jewellery and watch cover for individuals and businesses and now provides a growing portfolio of commercial and personal insurance products and financial planning advice.
TH March is the appointed broker to many of the leading trade jewellery organisations, including the National Association of Jewellers, the National Pawnbrokers Association, the Company of Master Jewellers and the Giftware Association. The broker also plays a pioneering role in tackling crime in the sector, spearheading the innovative SaferGems initiative alongside the National Association of Jewellers and hosted by The British Security Industry Association.
While TH March is the jewellery industry’s leading insurance broker, the firm now arranges a range of bespoke insurance products for businesses and individuals. These range from specialist commercial insurance to cover for high value items and home and life insurance.
With a head office in London, TH March also has offices in Plymouth, Birmingham, Manchester, Sevenoaks and Glasgow and employs more than 120 staff.
TH March enters its 135th year with an updated brand and an enhanced offering, to meet its customers’ changing needs. The insurance broker is also launching a nationwide competition, inviting people to share their most treasured memories to win a luxury weekend at the Scarlet Hotel in Cornwall.
Neil McFarlane, CEO of TH March, said: “From small beginnings, we have grown to become the jewellery sector’s leading insurance broker. As we celebrate our 135-year history of helping businesses and individuals protect what is most precious, we think our founder, Tommy March, would be proud of his legacy.
“When TH March began, the British Empire was celebrating Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Since then, the firm has been through two world wars, numerous recessions and incredible industrial, technological and social change. We have continued to innovate and adapt to new challenges and opportunities. And, most importantly, we have remained committed to upholding the highest standards in everything we do.
“As we look to the future, our customers can relax in the knowledge that whatever they value most is protected through using an experienced and trusted elite insurance broker.”
TH March timeline
- 1887 - Tommy March, the son of a Hatton Garden jeweller, discovers a gap in the market for protecting the jewellery trade and sets up as a broker.
- 1906 - TH March is appointed insurance brokers to the National Association of Goldsmiths.
- 1911 - Tommy March establishes TH March as a Limited Company, with Frederick Ferraro as secretary. Frederick’s grandson, Michael Ferraro enjoyed a long career with the firm and, as a Non-Executive Director, continues to play a key role in the business.
- 1913 - TH March launches its trailblazing ‘Quiver’ policy, which combined seven different household risks, from burst pipes and fire to burglary.
- 1917 - Amelia Ferraro becomes TH March’s Secretary when her brother Frederick goes to fight in the First World War.
- 1959 - TH March launches its innovative ‘Goodwill’ sickness and accident staff scheme for the National Association of Goldsmiths. Many NAG members benefited from this scheme at a time when very few employers offered health and wellbeing benefits.
- 1964 - TH March sets up a new subsidiary, T.H. March (Life and Pensions) Ltd, to provide customers with life assurance and pensions cover.
- 1967 - The British Jewellers’ Association appoints TH March as its insurance broker.
- 1970s - Regional offices open in Plymouth and Birmingham.
- 1980s - Regional offices open in Manchester and Glasgow.
- 1990s - Regional office open in Sevenoaks.
- 2006 - Appointed insurance brokers to the National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA).
- 2009 - To fight the ongoing impact of crime on the jewellery sector, TH March and the National Association of Jewellers) launches SaferGems. The initiative is hosted by The British Security Industry Association.
- 2011 - Having satisfied rigorous criteria relating to professionalism, capability and ethics, TH March was awarded the prestigious status of Chartered Insurance Broker; the industry’s gold standard award.
- 2014 - Appointed insurance brokers to the Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ).
- 2015 - The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) forms following the merger of the National Association of Goldsmiths and British Jewellers’ Association, with TH March as its insurance broker.
- 2017 - Independent customer service assessor; Investor in Customers (IIC) awarded us their highest ‘Exceptional’ 3 star rating.
- 2022 - Appointed insurance broker to the National Association of Jewellers, the National Pawnbrokers Association, the Company of Master Jewellers and the Giftware Association, TH March employs more than 120 staff in six offices across the UK, serving customers with a growing range of insurance products.