Dr Andrew (Twiggy) Forrest AO is a prominent mining entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chair of ASX company Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), known as the ‘third force’ in iron ore. Dr Forrest has led the diversification of FMG into ‘green energy’ through the establishment of Fortescue Future Industries. He is also the founder (with his wife Nicola Forrest) of Minderoo Foundation, one of Australia’s most active philanthropic foundations, and Tattarang which has grown rapidly to become a large and diversified family company.
Dr Forrest was previously chief executive and deputy chair of Anaconda Nickel (now Minara Resources), director of the WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy, chair of Athletics Australia, chair of Moly Mines, and chair of Siberia Mining Corporation.
He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Dr Forrest has been awarded the Australian Centenary Medal, Australian Sports Medal, Australian Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year, West Australia Citizen of the Year for his contribution to regional development, and The Mining Journal’s Mining Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2017, Dr Forrest was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished services to the mining sector, to the development of employment and business opportunities, as a supporter of sustainable foreign investment, and to philanthropy.