Henry Gibbon, born in 1824 is generally acknowledged as the founder of the company, although he died some 20 years before GMS Syndicate Limited was formed.
The formation of GMS Syndicate Limited was probably unique. It brought together the properties (valued at £430,808) owned by three families that were themselves linked through marriage.
With war being declared against Germany on September 3, 1939, as with every other company in Britain, GMS was to face six tough years before it could start to rebuild.
In 1955 GMS instructed Edward Saunders, senior partner of Richard Ellis & Co to carry out a full appraisal and valuation of the company’s portfolio.
Following a trip to the US made by Andrew Rogers (to sort out a management issue for GMS of an investment), GMS changed its name.