Standard Life Logo

Established in 1825 in Edinburgh, Scotland, Standard Life was one of the pioneers of life insurance in the world. During the company’s formative years, its services focused on meeting the needs of Scotland’s growing urban population by offering life insurance to reduce burial costs.

In the 1880s, the company’s portfolio of services expanded to include asset management and pensions. An indication of Standard Life’s prominence was the insurance of famous infrastructure projects, notably the Forth Bridge. By 1925, the centenary of the company’s founding, Standard Life opened its corporate headquarters, Standard Life House, on Lothian Road in Edinburgh. This move further cemented the company’s position as a reliable financial mainstay.

The post-war era favored Standard Life’s growth, as many Scots gravitated toward life insurance and pension plans. This growth culminated in the 1960s, and Standard Life became the leading insurer in Scotland. 2006 was a major turning point as Standard Life transformed from a unit trust company to a public company, gaining a place on the London Stock Exchange.

Over the following decade, the company, while maintaining its base in Edinburgh, expanded its global footprint and delved deeper into asset management. However, 2018 saw a turning point when Phoenix Group acquired Standard Life in a £3.2 billion deal that saw Standard Life become a subsidiary of Phoenix while retaining the iconic brand name.

In its current form, Standard Life offers a wide range of insurance, savings, and investment solutions. The company serves customers in the UK and Europe and boasts a trusted base of over 4.5 million customers.