Journey of forbes
and walkers

Founded in 1881, Forbes & Walker began as a partnership between James Forbes and George Chapman Walker. The organisation rapidly established its presence as one of Sri Lanka’s leading brokering houses playing a pivotal role in the country’s tea industry.

In 1946, the Company merged with R. Gordon & Co., to form Forbes & Walker (incorporating R. Gordon & Co.,). This was the very first merger amongst brokers in Sri Lanka.

The next big change of historical importance took place on 1 April 1948, when the firm which had been incorporated as a Private Limited Liability Company on 13 January 1948, began trading as Forbes & Walker Limited. The need to convert to a limited liability company arose largely to form a business association with The London brokers. The London brokers – Wilson, Smithett & Co., Sanderson & Co., Gow, Wilson & Stanton Ltd, Charles Hope & Son, Lloyd, Matheson & Carritt, T. A. Kerr & Son, Ewart Maccaughey & Co. Ltd – were all made ordinary shareholders of the Company, while the existing directors were made management shareholders of the Company.