Where we come from

Established in 1929 Herbert and Ward continue in the fine tradition of its founders Messrs Herbert and Ward. They met in 1920 at a reception held at the Viceroys residence in India where a firm friendship was born.

They travelled extensively. Mr Herbert in Africa, India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) buying coffee, tea and cocoa. Mr Ward through India, China and South East Asia buying tea and spices, for sale in the London Auctions.

It was on a return visit in 1929 they decided to form a company that became known as Herbert and Ward Ltd. 

My grandfather had offices in Mincing Lane where the tea auctions were held. This street became known as the “Street of Tea's” due to the high concentration of tea merchants, brokers and shipping companies operating there. Messrs Herbert and Ward also had offices in Mincing lane where they became acquainted with my Grandfather. A business relationship which became a friendship was born. In 1946 my Grandfather acquired Herbert and Ward Ltd and we continue the tradition to this day. 

The company is now run by 3rd generation Nigel Miller and the 4th generation is preparing to continue our long history.

My grandfather sitting with parents.

Pre dinner drinks on the P&O Chusan with the captain and friends. At this time my Grandfather supplied the P&O fleet with tea & coffee. My Grandfather used to regularly undertake business trips sailing with his accountant to Madeira (Accountant would have to go home from here as he run out of holiday) and then would continue on via South Africa upwards through the Indian Ocean calling at Colombo, occasionally Mombasa and finishing at Bombay (Mumbai). On one of these trips he met the buyer for the Co-operative in Fiji whereupon they agreed business terms and my grandfather ended up supplying the Co-operative in Fiji. These trips my Grandfather would form extensive business buying teas from India & Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and occasionally Kenya.

It was on one of these trips to Kenya, my Grandfather stayed at Treetops in 1952 prior to the stay of Princess Elizabeth where she became Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. The photo’s show the hotel viewing platform over the watering hole and the back photo shows the animals my grandfather saw whilst there. My grandfather visited Kenya with the intention of buying a coffee plantation, however at a reception in government house Nairobi he met a gentleman who advised him not to invest his money in Kenya at this time which turned out to be a wise decision as the Mau Mau uprising was beginning in 1952. The said Gentleman was the head of the largest bank in South Africa, a fortuitous meeting.

Annual tea industry dinner. In 1956. My grandfather (second from right), father (first left) and George (right) a life long friend. At this time my father worked for George white and co tea brokerage, founded circa 1873, learning the tea industry before joining my grandfather in the company.

George (right) a life long friend of my grand father and father worked at Brooke Bond as a buyer. They had a very long mutually beneficial business relationship.