From humble beginnings in London's Austin Friars, RNLI Head Office has come a long way from its original one-room operation...

The RNLI started life in the City of London, then the financial centre of the world, and the first Head Office, occupied from 1824 to 1826, was 12 Austin Friars. The office was moved to 18 Austin Friars in 1826 and remained there until 1836 when it was transferred to the first floor of number 20. In 1846 a further move was made to the second floor of 8 Great Winchester Street, just around the corner from Austin Friars.

1851 was a year of much reorganisation for the RNLI, which had been without a president since 1828. The fourth Duke of Northumberland took on this office in 1851 and launched his famous competition for an efficient lifeboat design. Richard Lewis had recently been elected secretary, and it was shortly afterwards that reliable records began to be kept. Also in 1851, the offices moved from the City to the Charing Cross district, where the Headquarters stayed in different buildings for some 80 years.

Premises were taken at 20 John Street, Adelphi, but after only 3 years, the Committee of Management found 'more commodious premises' at 14 John Street, almost opposite, and the move took place in 1855. It was to be the longest occupied Head Office in the RNLI's history and, although it was the expiry of the lease which caused the next change of premises, the building which was considered roomy in 1854, was hardly adequate 50 years later.

The work of the Institution had more than doubled in this time and, once again, larger offices were needed. A 65 years' lease was taken on 22 Charing Cross Road. The ground rent was £385 and the lease of £10,000 was considered moderate for such premises. It was felt that the offices were much better '... for the great national object of the Institution and far more sanitary and suitable for the officers and staff. The Committee of Management was also well aware that such a prominent site would afford greater publicity to the RNLI.

In 1931, again because of lack of space and due to increasing work, the RNLI moved to 42-44 Grosvenor Gardens and this was to be its last move within London.

The move out of London came largely as a result of a report in 1971 by P A Management Consultants who were asked to review the organisation of the RNLI. The Committee of Management endorsed their recommendation that the Head Office and Depot should be amalgamated and situated in the provinces. The site would need water frontage and would have to be within two hours rail journey of London.

In October 1972, two adjoining sites had been found in Poole and, in 1973, the gradual transfer of staff to temporary accommodation began. The transfer was effectively completed by February 1974 and on 30 October 1974 the then Chairman of the Institution, Commander Swarm, laid the foundation stone of a new Head Office building. A stainless steel capsule containing historic documents, photographs and examples of the Institution's colours were placed under the stone. The formal opening of the new headquarters was undertaken by HRH The Duke of Kent on 6 May 1976.«.