Robert Stanes

Sir Robert Stanes was the founder of United Nilgri Tea Estates (UNTE). He arrived in India in 1858 while still a young boy of seventeen. Robert Stanes immediately launched himself on a career that was a remarkable blend of entrepreneurship and philanthropy. He had already been in India fifty five years before UNTE was formed, by which time he had been Knighted in recognition of his generous contribution to society. Those fifty five years also saw Robert Stanes grow from a diffident boy into the dynamic head of a business empire. Cotton mills, coffee plantations, tea, coffee curing, motor works and tire retreading made up the diverse interests of his business. Robert Stanes was also a man with a commendable sense of social responsibility, when the City Council for Coimbatore was first formed, he took on the Chairmanship. He set up the Stanes High School, the city's premier educational institution of its time. His family subsequently started the Stanes School in Coonoor too. For his contribution to society Robert Stanes was also conferred the title of Kaiser-e-Hind.