David Brand

Founder of New Forests Fund, Chair of the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition

David Brand has over 40 years’ experience in forestry investment, forest management, science, and public policy. He was the founder and former Executive Chair and CEO of New Forests. Founded in 2005, New Forests is a sustainable forestry investment manager offering strategies in forestry, agriculture and conservation with more than $US8 billion in assets under management including 4.3 m hectares across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, SE Asia and Africa. He is currently the inaugural Chair of the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition, an organization of 23 international forestry sector companies working to progress the transition to a nature and climate positive circular bioeconomy. From 2000 to 2005, David was an investment director at Hancock Natural Resources Group (HNRG). Prior to joining HNRG, David was the Executive General Manager of State Forests of NSW where he led pioneering transactions in the development of environmental markets. From 1985-1995 David worked with the Canadian Forest Service as a scientist, director of scientific programs, and ultimately as national Director-General of Science and Sustainable Development. David has a PhD in forestry from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Toronto in Canada.