Dr Andrew Forrest AO

Dr Andrew Forrest AO is an entrepreneur, scientist and business leader committed to ending fossil fuel use, accelerating green energy, and addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges with data and science-driven solutions.

In 2003, Dr Forrest founded Fortescue, growing it from a small exploration company into one of the world’s leading miners and infrastructure operators, and Australia’s most successful company for shareholder returns.

The scale and success of Fortescue provided the platform for Dr Forrest to establish Minderoo Foundation, now Australia’s largest philanthropy, and Tattarang, one of the country’s largest private investment groups.

Minderoo Foundation is underpinned by a $9 billion endowment, and over the past two decades, has invested in world-leading research and advocacy programs across global challenges including climate and ocean science, humanitarian relief, and the safe governance of emerging technologies.

Through Tattarang, Dr Forrest invests in sectors critical to national resilience and long-term prosperity. These include renewable energy, battery metals, high-performance shipbuilding, iconic Australian brands, medical technology, agri-food, and property. The group is guided by the principle: using capital as a force for good.

Dr Forrest holds a PhD in Marine Ecology and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to philanthropy, mining, employment, and sustainable foreign investment.

Dr Forrest is a board member of Harvard’s Salata Institute Advisory Board (SIAB), a member of the Giving Pledge and the Council on Foreign Relations Global Board of Advisors. In 2025, he was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the world.