24
1935
1963
1969/70
SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY
BUILDING STRENGTH THROUGH ADVERSITY
Shirley Backhouse looks back on the past 60 years with a sense of pride and satisfaction. The family business her late husband Steve took control of in 1963 has gone from strength-to-strength.
She has played a central role in the insurance broking company’s growth, taking over the reins after Steve’s tragic and untimely death in 1974, when an aircraft carrying him back from a trip to watch a rugby international crashed on the outskirts of Paris.
Today she has the title of president of Backhouse, with her son Bill chairman of the highly respected group, which as well as its insurance arm includes an independent financial services business.
Backhouse’s origins stretch back to 1935. The original company name was W J Mercer and Steve acquired its insurance brokerage, based in a small Burnley office, when his father sold the business and he decided to go it alone.
Shirley says: “When the air crash happened, I had three children, the eldest 17, the youngest 11 months. The business Steve had taken over was beginning to grow through his hard work. It was a good business, and I knew I had to carry it on for him. I had no hesitation.
“I’d worked with Steve in the early years, typing out reports so I knew something about the work. I used to think insurance was terribly dull but as I got involved it became more and more interesting.
W J Mercer & Co Ltd incorporated in Burnley.
TIMELINE
Mercer’s acquired by Steve Backhouse and Steven Backhouse Group formed.
PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS,
PROTECTING YOUR ASSETS AND PROTECTING YOUR PEOPLE
Headquarters moved to Trafalgar Street, Burnley.
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