Lloyd’s of London has issued a statement apologising for its role in the eighteenth and early nineteenth Century slave trade acknowledging its past links to slavery.

It is not the only one to do so in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in the US, with drink and food chain Greene King also recognising its connection via its founder.

Both organisations were mentioned in a University College London database has having founders that received payments for giving up slavery. Britain abolished the trans-Atlantic slave trade in 1807, and globally in 1833, with compensation being paid to those who gave up plantations such as the two implicated.

Lloyd’s, for its part, has committed to a number of initiatives to help improve the experience of BAME groups in the Lloyd’s market, including a review of artefacts, to ensure that they are explicitly non-racist and will provide financial support to charities and organisations promoting opportunity and inclusion for BAME groups.

Lloyd’s said in the statement: “There is a long way to go but we are determined that we can and will create a culture in the Lloyd’s market in which everybody can flourish.”

Greene King has also promised to make investments that benefit the BAME community.

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