12 Facts About Jardine Matheson

1. Jardine Matheson shares a similar revenue profile with Jardine Strategic above, simply because Jardine Strategic remains the largest revenue contributor to Jardine Matheson.

2. Jardine Matheson implemented a new, decentralised management system with separate divisions responsible for Hong Kong, International and China respectively.

3. Jardine Matheson managed to escape to Ceylon, where he served on the staff of Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

4. Jardine Matheson established an office in Yokohama after acquiring Lot No 1 in the first land sale.

5. Jardine Matheson carried with him a letter of introduction written by Chief Superintendent of trade in Canton Charles Elliot that relayed a few of his credentials to Palmerston.

6. Jardine Matheson left Canton on 26 January 1839 for Britain, ostensibly to retire but in actuality to continue Matheson's lobbying work.

7. Jardine Matheson accompanied Napier's widow to England using an eye-infection as an excuse to return home.

8. Jardine Matheson could accept the consulship of a foreign country and register under its laws.

9. Jardine Matheson was known to work long hours and was extremely business-minded, while Matheson enjoyed the arts and was known for his eloquence.

10. Jardine Matheson was tough, serious, detail-oriented and reserved while Matheson was creative, outspoken and jovial.

11. Jardine Matheson was known to be behind many of the company's innovative practices.

12. Jardine Matheson learned that there were ways by which to a small extent the monopoly of the East India Company could be circumvented so in 1819 Jardine left his first employers and began the process of establishing his own private firm.