COMPANY HISTORY
Pike Ward Ltd was founded by George Perkins Ward in the mid 19th century as a joint venture with his in-laws, the Pikes. The company was primarily a ship broker, transporting clay from the mines around Newton Abbot, although George also had interests in shipping insurance and the cod trade in Newfoundland.
Their eldest son was also named Pike, following the Victorian fashion for using the mother’s maiden name as a first name. When George died in 1881, Eliza Ward took over running the business and continued until around 1912, when she was in her seventies. Her son Pike left Teignmouth in 1891 to pursue a career in Iceland, where he became a very important figure in the foundation of the fishing industry, and with it the modern, independent nation. He was awarded Iceland’s highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Icelandic Falcon.
On the eve of the First World War, when Eliza retired, Pike returned home permanently to take over the company with which he shared a name. Pike Ward ran the business until his death in 1937, but by the late 1920s he left most of the day-to-day management to employees at the Teignmouth offices.
K. J Findlay, editor of The Icelandic Adventures of Pike Ward
Mid 19th Century...
Company started by George Perkins Ward.
1881...
George Perkins Ward Died – company run by Eliza
1891...
Pike Ward left Teignmoth for career in Iceland.
1912...
Eliza ward retired (In her 70’s).
1912...
Pike Ward took over on the eve of WW1.
1937...
Pike Ward died.
The Company continued to prosper Under Captain Toby and then William H Jackson.
1950 – 1959...
Future co-Directors David Copeland and Cyril Boyne joined the company between 1950-1959 respectively and worked under Mr Jackson until his retirement.
1959...
Cyril Boyne joined the company (became Director the MD).
1986...
Cyril Boyne took over the running and sole Ownership of the company from 1987 when David Copeland retired. His son Stephen Boyne joined the company 1988.
2003...
Stephen Boyne took over the day to day running when Cyril Boyne retired.
2021...
In March 2021, Ross Pyne and Tom Mahon took over as Directors. Ross has been with the company since 1999 having joined straight out of University. Tom joined in 2015 having previously worked in the container shipping sector. Both are Fellows of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
2025...
In October 2025, Ross Pyne took over as sole Director to take the company into it’s 150th year of trading.
TEIGNMOUTH PORT HISTORY
- The Port of Teignmouth, has been in existence since the 13th century.
- The Old Quay was built in the mid-18th century.
- The opening of the Stover Canal by James Templer in 1792 provided a boost to the port due to the ease with which ball clay could be transported from the mines north of Newton Abbot.
- The Old Quay was sold to George Hennet in 1850 and became the centre of his trading network.
- 1850 – The main line railway and the quay connection.
- Until 1852 Teignmouth was legally part of the Port of Exeter – now independent.
- 1888-93 – Quay extensions – newly piled Western Quay.
- 1987 – Associated British Port purchased Teignmouth Quay Company.
- 2006 – £5 million investment with extension to quay.
- 2016 – Major dredge to accommodate larger⁄deeper vessels.
- 2024 – Quartey maintenance dredging continues
