Sustainable forestry investment manager New Forests has appointed Mark Rogers as CEO, with founding CEO David Brand making the move to become Chair of the company.
Mark will take the helm in April this year having started at New Forests in 2016 as Managing Director. He took on additional responsibilities in the US in 2019 as Senior Managing Director.
“Mark is a proven, strategic leader who has a deep understanding of our business, our culture and our vision, making him the ideal candidate to lead New Forests into its next stage of growth.” says David Brand.
“He has demonstrated an outstanding track record across our Australia, New Zealand and United States businesses with a vision to see investment in land use and forestry as key to the transition to a sustainable future.”
David founded the company in 2005, and today it manages some $10 billion in assets, making it the second largest private forestry manager in the world.
His steady hand has delivered positive returns year by year, helped along by a low-volatility asset offering reliable cash-flows. The firm’s asset management model is built on a philosophy of sustainable forestry; innovations in environmental management, harvesting, and creating shared value with rural communities have led the market.
But it’s impact is also felt through its business model innovation. Schemes like ActivAcre involve partnerships with individual farmers to identify opportunities to reforest less productive pieces of farmland. It’s a win for the farmer with increased returns on the land, and for New Forests through selling carbon credits.
“After 17 years at the helm of New Forests, it is time for me to step down from the CEO role and do what I love doing most and that is looking at strategic growth opportunities in new markets and new geographies. I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved growing from a handful of people in 2005 to over 100 staff in five countries, across 1.1 million hectares and $10 billion in assets under management.” David says.