Our History
The legacy
Where innovation meets investment, and tradition paves the way for the future.
Sir Herbert Holt (1856- 1941)
The foundation of our heritage was laid by Sir Herbert Samuel Holt. His profound influence across a spectrum of sectors, from railways and utilities to finance, healthcare, hospitality, entertainment, and urban planning, continues to echo as a testament to his enduring legacy.
1873
Toronto Water Works
Samuel Herbert Holt, a civil engineer from Dublin, emigrates to Canada and joins the Toronto Water Works as an assistant engineer.
1880’s
Canadian Pacific Railway
Founding engineer Sir Herbert leads the construction of numerous CPR routes through the Rockies in eastern Canada and British Columbia from 1881 to 1885.
1901
Hydro Quebec
Holt merges Montreal Gas and Royal Electric to form the Montreal Light Heat and Power Corporation (MLHPC). This entity is later nationalized by the Quebec government, creating Hydro Quebec, which becomes and remains the largest power utility in Quebec.
1908
Royal Bank of Canada
Sir Herbert Holt becomes President of the Royal Bank in 1908 and serves until 1934, establishing himself as the longest-serving president in the bank’s history. He also holds the position of chairman of the board until his passing in 1941.
1913
The Ritz-Carlton
Holt is a co-founder of the Ritz-Carlton Montreal and joins a syndication that invests millions in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
1914
Hampstead, Quebec
Holt co-founds the City of Hampstead, envisioned as a ‘garden city’ to offer a peaceful retreat from urban challenges.
1920
Paramount Theaters
Holt is behind the launch of the Famous Players movie theater chain (which later becomes Paramount Pictures) in Quebec. The Famous Players Canadian Corporation traces back to the early days of the Famous Players Film Company.
1928
Royal Victoria Hospital
Sir Herbert Holt serves as the President of the Royal Victoria Hospital, a renowned healthcare and educational institution in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile.
Sir Samuel Herbert Holt, knighted by King George V in 1915, held directorships in about 300 companies worldwide at the time of his death in 1941. Recognized for his significant contributions to the Canadian economy, he was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 1979. The Montreal Gazette noted him as “the richest man in Canada” upon his passing marking the end of an era for a legendary industrialist.
Invest in your family
Modern day & the digital age
Today, a 5th generation Family Office, Holdun remains at the forefront of innovation, continuously driving new initiatives while steadfastly maintaining its commitment to community and corporate responsibility.
Brendan Holt Dunn
CEO Holdun Family Office (Bahamas) Ltd.
In 2015, under the leadership of Brendan Holt Dunn, the company marks a significant milestone by executing a strategic international expansion, leading to the establishment of Holdun Family Office (Bahamas) Ltd.
Over the span of a century, the Holt/Dunn family cultivates a distinguished legacy characterized by innovation, wealth management, and philanthropy.
Expanding Empire
Holdun Family Office
Discover the four pillars of success under the Holdun family’s diverse portfolio
Holdun Wealth
Bespoke wealth management services for individuals and families across the Caribbean.
The Holt Xchange
The Holt Xchange powers innovative tech products, world-class companies, and entrepreneurs, helping shape the future of their businesses and technology in the financial services sector.
Cypher by Holt
Serving the unbanked, underbanked and those with limited access to traditional banks and financial services in developing countries with a B2B strategy.
Holt Capital
The Holt Capital platform leverages our extensive network to provide direct access to some of the best private investments opportunities in the market.