“Before the multinational corporation, there was family business. Before the Industrial Revolution, there was family business. Before the enlightenment of Greece and the empire of Rome, there was family business.”

There’s some pretty obvious UK omissions from the list, including John Murray, founded in 1768. and Wedgwood, founded in 1759. Also questionable whether Aberdeen Harbour (1136), should make the list. Despite that it’s interesting how diverse the top 10 are.