Firm prioritises pursuit of business with a greater purpose

Founded in 1828, Boustead Singapore holds the distinction of being the nation's oldest continuous business.

- Mr Wong Fong Fui, Boustead Singapore's chairman and group chief executive officer, says a big reason the company has lasted this long is how it runs its business and how it sees its place in the world. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

The company was started by Edward Boustead, who was born in Yorkshire, England. Company records have him as arriving in Singapore on March 13, 1828, on board the British ship Hindustan. Shortly after his arrival, he set up Boustead & Company along the Singapore River.

"Trading tropical commodities such as spices, flavours, seeds, nuts, saps, resins, medicinal herbs and oils, Boustead & Company was a key player in the commodity trade between the Far East and Europe," says the company's website.

Beyond making his mark in business and the community, Boustead was also the editor and co-founder of The Singapore Free Press, which was launched in 1835 and ran till 1869. It was revived in 1884 and in 1946, was bought over by The Straits Times. In 1962, The Singapore Free Press merged with The Malay Mail.