The original Shaws partnership began in the late 1920's, when two brothers Joseph and Leslie Shaw began buying property in central London. Born in India to English parents their father was a barrister based in Lucknow, but moved the family back to England in about 1922. Based in London the brothers incorporated Shaws in the early 1940's as well as other sister companies including Mayshaw Property Company Limited and Times Square Estates Limited which still trade today. For many years the head office was at Estates House, 74-78 Shaftesbury Avenue, London. The photo below of that office was taken in the mid 1940's.