Burns, Philp &​ Company Limited was registered in Sydney in 1883. From its inception it was involved with general merchandising and shipping and set up an extensive Branch network throughout Australia, in London and San Francisco. In 1920 the Burns Philp (South Sea) Company Ltd was established to run its Pacific trading operations.

James Forsyth was managing director of Burns, Philp and Co. Ltd. in Queensland. In 1899, he entered Parliament as the member for Carpentaria, and held the seat until 1918 when he retired. His pastoral interests were considerable, and included Thylungra, Bulgroo and Kyabra stations. His philanthropic legacies included provision for a Chair of Agriculture to be maintained at the University of Queensland.