1783
Establishment of James Man as sugar cooper and broker
1784
Royal Navy rum supply contract; broking of sugar and other produce
1823
Death of founder
1859
Announcement of Baron Reuter’s telegraph news service
1869
Becomes E D & F Man
Late 19th century
First Sugar Exchange or Terminal Market appeared in London, making ‘paper’ contracts of future crops possible
1889
The Great Dock Strike – E D & F Man declares record profits regardless
1956
7 partners, 38 staff: brokering in sugar, cocoa, spices and produce
1960s/1970s
Development of principal trading and commodity diversification
1980-1990
Acquires Premier Man (oil), Holco (cocoa), Man Producten (nuts/spices), Anderson Man (general), ManTrad (financials), SvG (molasses), Mint (CTA), BIBO (bulk refined sugar), GNP Chicago (financials), AHL (CTA) and Gill & Duffus (cocoa processing)
1983
200th anniversary: 650 staff
1985
Launch first guaranteed fund
1991
Funds Under Management $1.0 billion
1992-1994
Acquires Westway (molasses), Paine Webber (LME metals), Mackay (sugar refining) and Gelderman (Interest rates, equity options)
1994
IPO: 180p; market capitalisation c. £400 million; 3,000 staff: Funds Under Management $1.1 billion
1995-1997
Growth of sugar distribution business; acquires Index (private clients, order routing E. Trade) and Standard Chartered Singapore (FX); IP220 launch; Funds Under Management $1.3 billion
1998
Russian Debt Crisis, contract defaults; acquires Gerald (LME ring dealer) and SLK (private clients); AHL Diversified Futures Ltd authorised in Hong Kong
1999
Acquires Tullet (financials); Funds Under Management $3.8 billion
2000
Sale of commodity businesses: renamed Man Group plc; acquire First American (private clients); Funds Under Management $4.7 billion, acquisition of 100% of Glenwood
2001
Acquires Unioncal (private clients, equity); Funds Under Management $6.7 billion
2002
Acquires Fox (private clients) and GNI (Futures, FX, equities and CFDs); Funds Under Management $10.7 billion (pre-RMF), acquisition of RMF
2005
Acquires Refco; Funds Under Management $43.0 billion (of which $17.7 billion RMF)
2006
Funds Under Management $56.0 billion, Global IP220 launch raises a record $2.3 billion
2007
Proposed Initial Public Offering on the New York Stock Exchange of a majority interest in Man Financial, to be renamed MF Global