The society was formed in Rochdale in August 1834, when over 300 branches of the Royal Foresters society formed the new Ancient Order of Foresters. In 1874 the American and Canadian Foresters seceded from the Ancient Order of Foresters and set up the Independent Order of Foresters. The IOF's UK operation is now called Forester Life, based in Bromley, Greater London. The society became incorporated on 1 January 2003, that year acquired Tunstall Assurance Friendly Society, followed by the Leek Assurance Collecting Society in 2005. On September 26, 2014, it acquired the Post Office Insurance Society, which added 21,000 members and a further £69.0 million in assets The society's local branches are termed "courts", rather than "lodges" as in other friendly societies. They were named after the law courts of the royal forests, and performed the Ancient Ritual of the Society. The most famous was Court LUD No. 10,100, which was formed in 1947, by members of the London District Management Committee. However, owing to lack of members willing to take office, this court was erased in 2004. Since the society became incorporated the number of courts has slowly reduced and remained stable over the last 10 years at 189 Courts in the British Isles. The society offers a range of member benefits, and in 2018 nearly £1m was paid out in discretionary grants and benefits, and charitable donations. The society had its own magazine – Foresters Miscellany, which ran from 1862 to 2008, when it was incorporated into a replacement called The Forester. In late 2016, the publication of Foresters Miscellany restarted with issue 1618 and continues today celebrating Foresters social and fundraising activities in local communities.
Products
The society provides its members with savings policies – including tax exempt savings which are only available via friendly societies. They also offer an Investment Bond, Guaranteed Savings plan and in June 2017 the society launched a Lifetime ISA. Foresters also offer insurance policies against sickness and death. There are also policies for children, including a child tax exempt savings plan. In addition to this, it is also the provider of group insurance to several police forces in the United Kingdom, the Police Service of Northern Ireland being one of the largest, and its Guernsey business mainly consists of medical insurance. The society is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority. The total combined assets of the courts as of 31 December 2016 was £78.9 million As of December 2016 the society had approximately 75,000 members and managed funds of £277m on their members' behalf.
Management
In November 2012, Paul Osborn was appointed as the Chief Executive. In September 2012, Mike Wilkinson was appointed to the Board, and subsequently elected Chairman. Two professional non-executive directors were also welcomed to the board: Michael Allen, latterly of Liverpool Victoria, and John Instance from the Financial Reporting Council. In 2016, John Instance was appointed the chairman and Myles Edwards was appointed as Executive Director. The High Chief Ranger for 2016/17 was Glyn Carpenter and for 2017/18 is Cheryl Eagleson. Each year the High Chief Ranger chooses a charity for whom the society's members fundraise. In 2016/17 this was Canine Partners, and in 2017/18 it is the Association of Air Ambulances Charity.
Sponsorship
In December 2012 Foresters announced its official sponsorship of the ArcheryGB Olympic and Paralympic teams. In November 2013 Foresters renewed its sponsorship, taking its sponsorship beyond the Rio Olympics.
