IBS Lunchtime Research Seminar - Finding El Dorado: The rise and fall of the Jenks business cluster in Colombia 1899-1929.

You are cordially invited to attend an International Business and Strategy Departmental Research Meeting, during which there will be a presentation by Andrew Primmer, BA Research Fellow, University of Reading. A reminder that attendance for IBS (full time, research oriented) staff and full-time students is compulsory, and where possible, must be in person. Individuals unable to attend in person, due to legitimate reasons will be provided a Teams link on request. Non-IBS staff are welcome to attend, but must register prior to the event. If you have not received the email invite please email Angie Clark

Please join us in Room 108, Henley Business School, if you would like to attend, please register using the link below:

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Please make sure you let me know in advance if you intend to attend in person so that the correct amount of catering is booked.

Date: Wednesday 7th February 2024, HBS Room 108

Time: 13.00 - 14.15pm

Abstract

This article explores the development of a cluster of free-standing companies in Colombia in the first decades of the twentieth century. The article illustrates how the British investor Shirley Jenks, who closely matches the description of the “gentlemanly capitalist” social class, leveraged “free-standing companies” as an investment vehicle to construct interconnected strategic business interests. The article illustrates the versatility offered by “free-standing companies”, and how in combination with “collaborating elites”, the mechanisms of the London capital market could be used to construct and administer a significant business empire in the periphery with little local presence or direct influence.