Andrew Forrest
Andrew John Forrest | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Occupation(s) | Chairman and CEO, Fortescue Metals Group |
| Children | 3 |
Andrew Forrest (born 1961) also known by his nickname Twiggy, is a Western Australian mining entrepreneur, currently Chief executive officer and the major shareholder of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) Ltd, which is developing the Pilbara Iron Ore and Infrastructure Project. Between 28 December 2007, and 3 October, 2008, he was identified as Australia's richest man. [2][3]
Career
Forrest graduated from Hale School in Perth and after university embarked on a career in stockbroking starting at broking house Jacksons. In his early 30s, he became the founding CEO of Anaconda Nickel (now Minara Resources). Although this project experienced teething problems during commissioning and attracted intense criticism, it has since grown to be one of Australia's single largest mineral exporters with its giant Murrin Murrin Joint Venture nickel project.
In 2003, he took control of Allied Mining and Processing and renamed it Fortescue Metals Group. [4] As CEO, Fortescue grew to possess three times the tenements of its nearest rival in Western Australia's iron ore rich Pilbara region. Fortescue holds major deposits at Mount Nicholas, Christmas Creek, Cloudbreak, and Tongolo.
In 2007, Forrest took control of a Niagara Mining which owns tenements around Laverton, Western Australia, the site of the famous 1969 Poseidon nickel boom.[5]
Personal life
Forrest is the youngest son of Donald and Judith Forrest. He is the great-grandnephew of former Premier John Forrest.[6] His early years were spent as a jackaroo on the family station at Mindaroo in the Pilbara [7][8]
His great-grandfather, Alexander Forrest, was the explorer who mapped the upper reaches of the Fitzroy River in 1879.[9]
Forrest is married with three children.
Philanthropy
In 2009, Forrest officially opened Hale School's new Teaching and Learning precinct including a new Library Resource Centre which was named The Forrest Library, in recognition of the contributions made by the Forrest family to the School.
Former Prime Minister, John Howard said of Forrest in 1999: "I've met a lot of managing directors, but I don't think I've met a more self-evidently enthusiastic and dedicated managing director than I’ve met in Andrew Forrest"[10]
In 2008, Mr Forrest met with Australia's PM Kevin Rudd to get some financial backing from the Federal Government, for his plan to employ 50,000 unemployed Aborigines. [11]
References
- ^ [1] Rich executives lose billions
- ^ WA Business news 19 August 2007
- ^ Business » Andrew Forrest, worth $7.26B, the richest man of Australia, replacing James Packer
- ^ Herald Sun newspaper, Melbourne]. 6 August 2005
- ^ Magnate's new Poseidon adventure - Business - Business - smh.com.au
- ^ Stewart, Cameron (2008) The Accidental Billionaire The Weekend Australian Magazine 24-25 May 2008, p23
- ^ West Australian newspaper. 22 November 2005
- ^ ABC Television "Dynasties"
- ^ Screams in the night spur magnate into action
- ^ Caught out in a dangerous game
- ^ WA Today article on Forrest and Aborigines