Lloyd’s Register apologises for its role in trafficking enslaved people from Africa

The maritime group, founded in 1760 by merchants and underwriters, issued the apology after commissioning research into its links to slavery

Lloyd's Register, the maritime and industrial group owned by one of Britain's biggest charities, has apologised for its role in the trafficking of enslaved African people but has been criticised for not going far enough.

Founded in 1760 as the Society for the Registry of Shipping by merchants and underwriters who met at Edward Lloyd's coffee house in Lombard Street in London, the company provided classification for ships.