Booker McConnell Ltd

Notes:

Traced origins to Josias and George Booker of Liverpool who arrived in the West Indies in about 1820 and in due course became traders including retail, plantation managers and sugar plantation owners at Demerara, Guyana. Sometime traded as George Booker & Co, later Booker Bros & Co. Josias returned to Liverpool in 1827 and established Josias Booker & Co, West India merchants, while George established an office there for George Booker & Co in the 1830s. Latter also started shipowning from c1830s, initially at Liverpool, which was finally given up in the 1980s. By 1880s the business was owned by the McConnell family (initially by John McConnell). All the business interests were brought together in 1900 and incorporated as Booker Brothers McConnell Ltd. 1927 floated on London Stock Exchange. 1939 merged with Curtis Campbell & Co, another Guyana merchant and plantation business and in due course led by Jock Campbell, later Lord Campbell of Eskan, 1912-94. The firm's very large Guyanan sugar industry interests were nationalised in 1976 prompting reorganisation of other activities. These notably included retailing in the West Indies and Africa. Food retailing and distribution now became the dominant activity, achieved by acquisition including Budgen & Co Ltd. 1968 known as Booker McConnell Ltd and as Booker Plc in 1986 when it had interests in food distribution, food retailing, cash and carry, engineering, agricultural management, etc. Established the Booker literary prize in 1968. Acquired by Iceland Group 2000 when known as The Big Food Group Plc. Subsequently hived off as Booker Group Plc which was continuing in 2015 [2023]