The Blandy Company of Madeira

Author:

Andrew Shepherd

Report:

Newsletter 28

Year:

2025

Subject Matter:

British in Portugal

Excerpt:

John Blandy arrived in Madeira in 1808. The business he founded in 1811 is now run by the seventh generation of Blandys. In the 214 years since its foundation, the Blandy family  has been involved in a wide range of activities, including general importing; wine production and export; coal bunkering and as agent for several important steamship lines; flour milling and breadmaking; building-lime production; newspaper proprietorship; banking; the operation of launches, tugs, and a ship repair yard, both in Madeira and Las Palmas; electronics; hotel ownership and management; and other tourism-related activities, including a golf course. Over the years, its investments have taken it to mainland Portugal, the Canary Islands, Francophone West Africa, Malaysia, the UK, and Brazil, but throughout this time Madeira has remained the central core.        

To celebrate its first 200 years, the company issued a book entitled The Blandys of Madeira: 1811-2011. This was written by Marcus Binney and published by Francis Lincoln of London. This article is largely a summary of that fascinating book, concentrating mainly on the family’s business activities and following the ups and downs of the heads of the family. The British Historical Society is grateful to Michael and Christopher Blandy for their approval to publish this article and their comments on an earlier draft.