Andrew on generating the business idea...
"My business partner and I used to buy land with and without planning permission around the world. We were looking at land for property to begin with, when we came across forestry land, which was like a lightbulb moment where we found that you can make a lot of money through ethical investments in planting trees.
"After studying the market we found that timber has been a growing market for the past 200 years, going up 10% a year. This meant it outgrew the property market tenfold, so it was only common sense for us to go into that market.
"Doing more research we found that hedge funds were buying up tracts of land in Brazil for the same purpose, but there was no company offering it to the retail market. We’d found a gap, and so far it has being doing really well."
On whether their rapid expansion was fuelled more by their significant capital injection or from rapid revenue generation...
"We started with a small fortune, so it was partly because of that, but more of it was researching the market and finding the right contacts on the ground in Brazil. Because if you can go to Brazil and try to find farmland, then finding the actual owner of the farmland is one thing, to set up a company in Brazil is another.
We’re coming into a new age, and we’re spreading awareness that you can invest your money ethically and help to save the planet, which is refreshing
"I would also say using our experience from the property industry helped. So a bit of both I would say; business acumen, our history in property and a little investment as well."
On the feel-good factor of running a green business...
"It’s a wonderful thing to feel good about your investment and a lot of people ask how you can be ethical and make money at the same time. But we’re coming into a new age, and we’re spreading awareness that you can invest your money ethically and help to save the planet, which is refreshing.
"A lot of people are starting to realise that now. And that’s part and parcel of why we think we’ve been so successful.
"People are looking for alternative investments to property. Because the investment is over 25 years it pays out healthy dividends so it’s a fantastic opportunity for an individual to get involved in and be ethical at the same time."
