Early Life
Henry Allan Engelhardt was born on January 17, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois, to a Jewish family. His father owned a meatpacking business. Engelhardt attended Evanston Township High School and later earned a dual degree in journalism and radio, television, and film from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He furthered his education with an MBA from INSEAD in Europe.
Rise to Success
Engelhardt's career in the insurance sector began with Churchill Insurance, where he developed his business acumen. In 1993, he launched Admiral Group, which he grew into a leading UK insurance company. In 1999, he led a management buyout that established the company as a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. Admiral Group expanded to offer various insurance products and, under Engelhardt's leadership, became known for innovation and a strong company culture.
Key Business Strategies
Engelhardt focused on direct-to-consumer car insurance, leveraging technology to reduce costs and improve customer experiences. He emphasized creating a positive work environment, believing that happy employees would lead to better business outcomes. Admiral's success was also driven by its innovative approach, including the launch of the UK's first insurance price comparison website, Confused.com.
Philanthropy
Henry and his wife, Diane, established the Moondance Foundation to support causes in Wales, education, healthcare, poverty, and the arts. He also served on the board of the Welsh Rugby Union.