Group Profile | Core Values | History | Member Companies | Community
History
Please select a date to the left to find out more
about our company during that time.
1823
 Great Great Grandfather Thomas  Ardwhallan Farm 1900 still in family, just before Dam construction began. |
Today's modern Investment Suisse Merchant Banking Group, was founded by the Right Honourable Robert Cowley - whose family since 1598, have had extensive land holdings on the Isle of Man Europe. William Cowley formed Triskelion Trading in 1823 and in 1832 bought more farming land at Ardwhallan (still the family seat). William's eldest son Thomas, the founder's Great, Great, Grandfather, shifted the firm's emphasis to commodities, mostly in the agricultural sector, and later precious metals. |
1854
 SS Constance  Great Grandfather Thomas |
With the gold rushes of the 1800's as a catalyst, Thomas Cowley sent his son (also Thomas) to Australia on the SS Constance, where after arriving in Melbourne on December 13 1854, Thomas set up clearing operations for assayed gold in Victoria and later Western Australia. |
1900's
 Flinders Street - The iconic main Railway Station in Melbourne 1927 - just prior to start of depression  |
By the 1900's the firm had diversified, from just farming and trading, to transport and property, as bus lines and Hotels entered the business. Sadly, the outbreak of World War 1, followed in October 1929 by the great depression, affect business badly, resulting in a move away from everything except buses. |
1964
   |
Robert Cowley desired to resurrect the family's heritage in the trading and financial sectors, a decision which saw him establish in Australia, Triskelion Capital with an emphasis on aviation finance. This business raises the establishment capital for Trans West Airlines, 'TWA' based in Perth. TWA began its business on the back of small contracts with Hammersley Iron Ore and Mt Newman and went onto become the 4th largest Australian airline before being bought out by the Ansett Group. |
1969
 Bougainville Copper Mine |
The core business of TWA, provides the financing for a major aviation venture supporting the Bougainville Copper mines, with Captain Lyle Copley appointed in charge of PNG operations. |
1972
 A Comair Fokker F27 - In 1972 - Cowley Flew Route Proving Exercises for establishment of Swazi Airline  |
The founder assists the Swaziland government to establish the Swazi National Domestic Airline in conjunction with ComAir Johannesburg and being a professional pilot, is invited by the Crown Prince of Swaziland, to Captain the route-proving exercises, in an aircraft kindly provided by ComAir. |
1976
  Bank of England  Head Office Bank New Zealand Custom House Quay Wellington |
In 1971 a guarantee for USD 1 million is raised for an African mining transaction, through the resources of Bank Hottinger & Cie Zurich and again in 1976, Hottinger & Cowley collaborate on USD 300 million transaction for the New Zealand Government, administered with the head of the Bank of New Zealand in London. To handle the growth in international business and with a desire to return to his European Manx roots, an office is opened in London and the founder moves his family back, where he will spend the best part of the next 30 years. At this time, the firm undergoes a name change to Investment Suisse to better reflect the then growth activities in European trading, corporate finance and merchant banking. |
1986
 Baron Jean Conrad Hottinguer Founder Banque Hottinguer  Bolton House Offices Devonshire Sq. |
Investment Suisse became UK agent for Banque Hottinger an old Private Swiss Bank, at the invitation of Hottinger's then Manager for Switzerland, Mr J. Huguet. There is growth in investment activity and with the introduction of Prime Minister Thatcher's Business Expansion Scheme 'BES' corporate finance simply flourishes and Investment Suisse collaborates as a specialist advisor to Bolton House and together they build a vibrant market making operation - the precursor of today's Over The Counter Market 'OTC' |
1987
 Thatcher & Reagan in London  |
Heading toward the end of the 1980's, business is booming in London and Europe and Investment Suisse's clientele grows into a broader worldwide market. Then came the October 20, 1987 crash (a Black Monday). With little exposure in the affected markets, Suisse was able to enter a period of steady, albeit controlled growth, while surprisingly, many of Suisse' contemporaries failed badly. It was at this time the Right Honourable Robert Cowley, (Suisse's founder), was invited to become Chairman, under Prime Minister Thatcher, of the Conservative Association, the fund raising arm of the Conservative Party. |
1992
 Hong Kong Financial District |
As markets recover, Suisse expands and the founder recalls his brother John Cowley, to assist with the establishment of representative offices in Hong Kong, France, the Bahamas and Americas, while corporate administration is moved to Switzerland. |
1998
 |
After several years working on joint client transactions with Paul Scribner and observing his skills, the founder placed his thoughts with the full board and all partners of Investment Suisse Merchant Banking Group, voted unanimously to invite Mr Scribner, to join as a senior partner and shareholder. This decision was the catalyst for a partnership, now in its second decade of amazing success and growth and today, Mr. Scribner is a full partner and Head of Merchant Banking & Securities. |
2008
 |
Instead of using external firms for trade executions, Investment Suisse establishes its own trading operations for the benefit of its clients, using top tier counter-parties which provide custodial and similar services. Continuing this history of success, Investment Suisse establish their elite Private Client Group 'PCG'. |
2009
|
Investment Suisse is a thriving offshore merchant banking services group facilitating products and services for our clients, across a wide spectrum of possibilities. Suisse is committed to the pursuit of excellence, therefore, we concentrate only those sectors in which we excel. OUR AIM is to become the Catalyst to Our Clients' Dreams and Goals, Through Careful planning and Bold Enterprise. |
