History
HIH Insurance was founded in 1968 by Ray Williams and Michael Payne and at this time it was known as "M W Payne Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd". It was acquired in 1971 by British company CE Heath PLC and Ray Williams was appointed to the board of CE Heath PLC in 1980. The business operations of this CE Heath PLC were transferred to "CE Heath International Holdings Ltd" in 1989 and CE Heath PLC retained 90% ownership of CE Heath International Holdings. In 1992, CE Heath International Holdings floated on the Australian Stock Exchange.
In 1995, CE Heath International Holdings acquired CIC Insurance Group. The remaining 48% holding that CE Heath PLC maintained in CE Heath International Holdings was sold to a subsidiary of CIC Insurance Group called CIC Holdings Limited. CIC Holdings increased its share in CE Heath International Holdings to 50% and CIC Holdings was purchased by Winterthur Swiss Insurance Company (Winterthur Swiss). In May 1996, CE Heath International Holdings changed its name to HIH Winterthur.
Through 1997 and 1998, HIH Winterthur acquired a large number of companies both in Australia and globally, including Colonial Ltd General Insurance's operations in Australia and New Zealand, Solart in Argentina and Great States Insurance Co in the United States. Most notably however, HIH acquired the large Australian insurance company FAI Insurance, whose chief executive Rodney Adler became a director of HIH in 1999. Winterthur Swiss sold its 51% share in HIH Winterthur to the public and HIH changed its name to HIH Insurance Ltd.
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