New Forests Appoints Chief Operating Officer
New Position Will Manage Business Systems Supporting over $1 Billion in Assets Under Management
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February 28, 2011
SYDNEY – New Forests Pty Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Kym Hooper to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer. Ms. Hooper has over 20 years of experience in operational positions for wealth and funds management businesses, with recent roles including management consulting to a private wealth management business and Executive General Manager - CFO, Fund Support Services for Suncorp Wealth Management.
Ms. Hooper will oversee New Forests' corporate and financial systems in support of the company's growing funds management business in sustainable forestry and environmental market investments. New Forests closed the $500 million Australia New Zealand Forest Fund in late 2010 and announced a $415 million acquisition of the former Great Southern Plantation land in January 2011. The company is also pursuing investment strategies for sustainable forestry in Asia and environmental markets in the US. Ms. Hooper will work closely with directors in each region to coordinate company-wide administrative and financial functions and deliver consistent, high-quality services to clients.
"Kym has a depth of experience in establishing and managing internal controls, governance systems and risk management for investment businesses," David Brand, New Forests Managing Director, said. "She will be a real asset to New Forests and our clients, and we're happy to have her join the executive management team."
Prior to Ms. Hooper's role at Suncorp, she served as the Chief Operating Officer - Investment Services with Asteron, the wealth management division of Promina. Ms. Hooper has a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and is a Certified Practicing Accountant through the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants.
About New Forests
New Forests (www.newforests.com.au) is an investment management firm specialized in timberland and associated environmental markets, such as carbon, biodiversity and water. The company manages investments on behalf of institutional and private equity clients in Australia-New Zealand, Asia and the US with over $1 billion in assets under management. New Forests is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with staff in New Zealand, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
Contact
Marisa Meizlish
Director - Research, Communications & Sustainability
+1-415-321-3301
mmeizlish@newforests.com.au