Australia’s wealthiest man, Andrew Forrest was born in 1961 in Perth, the youngest son of Donald and Judith Forrest. He graduated from the Hale school in Perth and, after university, embarked on a career in stockbroking and mining.
Forrest has extensive experience in the mining sector, with specialist expertise in large scale project finance and implementation. He founded Anaconda Nickel Ltd, now known as Minara Resources, and was inaugural chairman of the Murrin Murrin joint venture, one of Australia’s largest mineral exporters.
Forrest is also a long-standing Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. He started Fortescue in April 2003 and is currently non-Executive Chairman and the major shareholder of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) Ltd — the company developing the Pilbara Iron Ore and Infrastructure Project.
He stepped down as CEO of FMG because he was spending more time on philanthropic Indigenous work, including his role as ambassador of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.
Forrest is also Chairman of the Australian Children's Trust. He lives in Perth, Western Australia, with his wife Nicola and their three children.
This person has made the short list for the title National Living Treasure, this title is conferred when someone accomplishes an outstanding achievement, swelling the country’s consciousness with admiration, pride and acknowledgement... be they scientists or sports stars; actors, artists or Indigenous activists; politicians, philanthropists or explorers, The National Trust’s 2012 nominees are a true cross section of our country’s finest.
Click here to see the full nomination list and vote for your favourite.
