Founded in 2019 as a subsidiary of Stanhope Cooper, Stanhope is an award-winning provider of niche and specialist insurance to the UK home insurance market. Our aim is to be the most trusted non-standard broker in the UK market. We’re going to achieve this by being a values-led business based in Petersfield, Hampshire with a nationwide set of customers.
An introduction from Stanhope director, Matthew Ashton
family tradition
Our story
Stanhope was founded in 2019 by Matthew Ashton, William Cooper, and Rachel Living, but our story goes back much further. Our story begins pre-1900 with Herbert Cooper, who worked in the Lloyd’s of London market, the first of the Cooper family to step into the world of insurance.
Herbert Cooper’s insurance legacy continued with his son, Gordon Cooper, who went onto work for Lloyd’s Broker, Swann & Everett. The insurance tradition was then picked up by Nicholas Cooper, Stanhope Cooper’s chairman, who went on to found both the Consolidated Insurance Group and Sterling Insurance Group.
In 2009, William Cooper, the current managing director, joined Stanhope Cooper, carrying on the family’s legacy of insurance brokering. As a subsidiary of Stanhope Cooper, Stanhope Insurance has inherited this multi-generational expertise. After our acquisition by The Ardonagh Group in 2023, we’ve been able to strengthen our client offering and continue to make strides in shaping the high-net-worth insurance market.
exceptional service
What we do for our customers
Stanhope provides customers with highly personalised insurance products tailored to their specific circumstances. We focus on providing solutions that fit outside the standard UK home insurance norms. This could be an expensive item of jewellery, a thatched property, or a home that is undergoing renovation works. If you can’t find the solution through standard insurance platforms, you will most likely come to us as your next port of call.
We are dedicated to providing exceptional levels of service and want all our customers to know they are important, that we listen and that we have the right insurance policy in place and at the right price. Learning is important to us. Sometimes we get things wrong, and we’re okay with that, so long as we continue to learn and grow.
Industry recognition
Our awards and accreditations
We continue to make strides towards our goal of becoming the most trusted non-standard broker in the UK market. We’re proud to have been winners of the UK Broker Awards 2025 as High Net Worth Broker of the Year.
Passion & values
We’re proud to be a values-led business
We believe why you do something is as important as what you do. There are many businesses in the UK which, despite being financially rich, are values-poor; we want to buck this trend in the financial services sector.
We believe it’s important to have a destination in mind, but it’s as much about the journey for us, as it is reaching the destination. At Stanhope, we’re passionate about the journey and the destination. As a result, we have created a threefold value-statement which not only governs what we do, but also why we do it. It confirms where we’re going (aiming to be the UK’s most trusted non-standard broker) and how we’re going to get there.
our values
People
As a people-focused business, we will strive to put our people at the heart of every decision we make. By doing so, the rest will fall into place, as outcomes follow behaviours. We believe every person has value simply by being who they are, not just for the work they deliver. The outcome of this is a secure and humble workforce who accept praise and correction with poise.
Integrity
We are full of integrity. This means our behaviours are consistent, especially when no one is watching. Doing the right thing (not the easy) by our staff, our clients and our community is non-negotiable. As Hemingway once wrote, ‘trust arrives on foot but leaves on horseback’. Our desire is to be known as the UK’s most trusted Insurance Broker which will require hard work and wisdom. This will take many years to accomplish, but only a few days to destroy.
Selflessness
We look out for the interests of others above our own. This is a golden thread weaving its way through the cultural fabric of our company. Having a ‘we’ and not a ‘me’ approach means the Stanhope community is safe and secure. This approach allows us to “problem find” and “problem solve” with others in mind which, over time, develops empathy amongst our teams.
who we are
Meet the team
With over 20 years of combined experience, Stanhope is built on honesty, trust, and integrity. We’re dedicated to helping clients find coverage that fits their needs and delivering value through personalised service
Matthew Ashton
Matthew started working in insurance in 2004 and has since embarked on a variety of different experiences. In 2019, he came together with William Cooper and Rachel Living to found Stanhope Insurance.
William Cooper
Will started his insurance journey in 2009 and has since gone on to co-found and build the Stanhope brand alongside Matthew and Rachel.
in a nutshell
Why choose Stanhope?
17+ years of specialist jewellery and high-value home insurance experience
A dedicated, professionally qualified team of experts.
2,300+ 4.8 star reviews on Reviews.io and Google Reviews
Clear advice and recommendations based on your circumstances
A simplified claims process should you need to make a claim
our services
How Stanhope can help you
We provide a range of services covering the specialist luxury insurance market from high value home insurance to watch insurance to handbag insurance. We believe in providing coverage that aligns with our values and our commitment to doing what’s right for our customers. This means that we provide a bespoke policy based on your unique circumstances and needs, something that ensures you’re suitably covered if a claim needs to be made.
Get in touch with our team today and find out how we can help you.
The services we provide across the UK
High Value
Home Insurance
We are proud to be experts in high value home insurance. For years, our bespoke policies have been protecting our client’s homes and the contents within. We protect homes worth over £1,500,000 with no upper limit and warranty-free options.
Jewellery
Insurance
Our jewellery insurance has helped thousands of our customers wear their jewellery out and about without concern.
Watch
Insurance
Whether you’re building a watch collection or looking to protect your favourite pieces, our watch insurance is designed to offer the peace of mind you deserve.
Insurance for
Art and Collections
Our art and collections insurance covers a variety of high value items such as art, books, musical instruments and more.