We build on more than a century of investment, giving us extensive experience of navigating markets and managing wealth on behalf of families and individual investors to meet their financial goals.
Hansa Investment Company traces its origins back to 1912 when the Alto Paranà Development Company was launched to develop forestry in Brazil.
Having become an investment trust company in the late-1940s, the company became closely associated with the Salomon Family, whose family trusts became substantial shareholders.
The late-1950s also saw the acquisition of a significant shareholding of Ocean Wilson Holdings Limited – a globally diversified shipping and industrial business, which is still one of our biggest portfolio holdings.
Over the following decades, the Salomon family helped to build the publicly-owned and independently run investment company we know today, with its focus on delivering reliable long-term asset growth for shareholders.
In 2014, the company adopted its current multi-strategy investment approach led by portfolio manager Alec Letchfield, with freedom to include best-in-class managers and strategies across global markets, sectors and asset classes.
In 2025, Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited completed the sale of its 56.47% shareholding in Wilson Sons, generating approximately USD 594 million net of costs. Later that year, on 3rd December 2025, the Supreme Court of Bermuda sanctioned the scheme of arrangement between Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited and Hansa Investment Company Limited, completing the all-share combination of the two long-standing investment businesses. The transaction strengthened Hansa’s scale and diversification, aligning their shared commitment to long-term value creation for shareholders.
Today, Hansa Investment Company combines over a century of investment heritage with a flexible, multi-asset approach designed to identify attractive opportunities across public and private markets worldwide.
company timeline
The company is established as Alto Paranà Development Company Limited
The Salomon Family obtain control of Rea Brothers Bank
Alto Paranà changes its name to Scottish and Mercantile Investment Company Limited
On behalf of its clients, including Scottish and Mercantile, Rea Brothers purchased 58% of Ocean Wilson Holdings Limited, an investment still held today.
Scottish & Mercantile continues to acquire smaller businesses into its portfolio
Scottish and Mercantile becomes Finsbury Trust PLC
Rea Brothers is sold
Finsbury Trust PLC becomes Hansa Trust PLC. Portfolio management of Hansa Trust PLC is taken over by Hansa Capital
Alec Letchfield joins as portfolio manager and Chief Investment Officer of Hansa Capital Partners
The current multi-strategy investment approach is adopted
The business is transferred to Hansa Investment Company Ltd and redomiciled in Bermuda
Ocean Wilsons Holding limited completes the sale of Wilson Sons and finalises its all-share combination with Hansa Investment Company following Bermuda court approval.