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The group We provide long-term savings and protection products to our customers About the group
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Investors View Report
ESG Creating a better future, together with you About ESG
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PRUDENCE FOUNDATION The community investment arm of Prudential plc in Asia and Africa Explore
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CAREERS Our pledge to you Prudential’s purpose is to help people get the most out of life. We do that for customers and employees alike. FIND OUT MORE
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Eastspring Investments A global asset manager with Asia at its core, offering innovative investment solutions to meet the financial needs of clients Learn more
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Eastspring Investments A global asset manager with Asia at its core, offering innovative investment solutions to meet the financial needs of clients Learn more

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In 1879 the Prudential Assurance Company entered its new head office, Holborn Bars, designed by Alfred Waterhouse, one of the most popular and successful architects in the UK, particularly well known for designing the Natural History Museum and Manchester Town Hall. ‘Chief Office’ had the latest modern conveniences: hot running water, a pneumatic tube system and – from 1881 – electric lighting. Lady clerks had their own entrance, staircase, library, roof promenade and dining room and left work 15 minutes earlier to avoid ‘consorting’ with the men.

Watercolour of Holborn Bars by Alfred Waterhouse (1879)

By the early 1900s Prudential insured one third of the UK population – and the building at Holborn Bars had grown to accommodate the business. On the site were a staff restaurant (for the ladies), a chapel and a hall for meetings and entertainments. The interior decoration of moulded plaster, mahogany counters, marble mosaics and tiled walls was of the highest standard. The tiles made a clean and hygienic working environment for staff. Waterhouse and his son went on to design 21 other offices for Prudential all over the UK, in the same distinctive Victorian Gothic style. During the 1930s the original 1879 block was re-built - large open plan floors were designed in the Art Deco style by the architect E M Joseph to accommodate new punch card machinery used in Prudential’s administration.

Board Room chimney tile at Holborn Bars

By the 1980s, new technology meant that Holborn Bars needed a complete refurbishment. The design, by Prudential Architects and the EPR Partnership, retained the original features of the Waterhouse and Joseph designs but equipped the office for modern working practices. HM Queen Elizabeth opened the new building in October 1993. In 1999, Group Head Office was relocated to Laurence Pountney Hill; however Holborn Bars still remains as a landmark building.

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Holborn Bars architectural plan

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© Prudential 2024

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Prudential plc, incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7AG. Registered number 1397169.  Prudential plc is a holding company, some of whose subsidiaries are authorised and regulated, as applicable, by the Hong Kong Insurance Authority and other regulatory authorities.
 
Prudential plc is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc., a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America or with the Prudential Assurance Company, a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

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Prudential plc is an international company incorporated in the United Kingdom, and its affiliated companies constitute one of the world’s leading financial services groups. It provides insurance and financial services directly and through its subsidiaries and affiliates throughout the world, and it has been in existence for over 170 years. Prudential plc is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc, a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America, or the Prudential Assurance Company, a subsidiary of M&G plc (a company incorporated in the United Kingdom).

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Prudential plc is an international company incorporated in the United Kingdom, and its affiliated companies constitute one of the world’s leading financial services groups. It provides insurance and financial services directly and through its subsidiaries and affiliates throughout the world, and it has been in existence for over 170 years. Prudential plc is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc, a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America, or the Prudential Assurance Company, a subsidiary of M&G plc (a company incorporated in the United Kingdom).
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For M&G and Prudential UK customers and policyholders:

In October 2019, Prudential plc separated its UK operations and, as a result of this separation, Prudential UK is now owned by M&G plc. The M&G plc group is a separate, independent group and as such we are not able to help any M&G or Prudential UK customers or policyholders.

Therefore, to find the best way to make contact, please visit www.pru.co.uk/contact-us

For further information on the M&G plc group, please visit the M&G website: www.mandg.com