Andrew Forrest

Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest is one of Australia's most dynamic business leaders and philanthropists, best known as the founder and chairman of Fortescue Metals Group, which he built from nothing into one of the world's largest iron ore producers. His extraordinary determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles — including securing financing and building massive infrastructure in remote Western Australia — makes his story one of the most remarkable entrepreneurial achievements in the history of the global mining industry. Forrest's willingness to take on entrenched competitors and his refusal to accept that something couldn't be done have defined his career.

Forrest founded Fortescue Metals in 2003 with a vision to become the third major iron ore producer in Australia's Pilbara region, challenging the decades-long dominance of BHP and Rio Tinto. Building the mines, ports, and rail infrastructure necessary to export iron ore from some of the most remote terrain on Earth required billions in capital and a level of logistical execution that many industry veterans said was impossible. Forrest proved them wrong, and Fortescue grew into a company producing over 190 million tonnes of iron ore annually, creating thousands of jobs and generating enormous value for shareholders.

In recent years, Forrest has become one of the world's most passionate and active advocates for renewable energy and green hydrogen. Through Fortescue Future Industries, he has committed to making Fortescue a net-zero company and is investing billions in green energy projects across the globe. His philanthropic work through the Minderoo Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife Nicola, has directed over $2 billion toward combating slavery and human trafficking, ocean conservation, wildfire resilience, and Indigenous Australian communities. Forrest's combination of business boldness, environmental vision, and philanthropic generosity makes him one of the most impactful business leaders of his generation.