Global Forestry Investments
The SFO launched an investigation into suspected fraud at Global Forestry Investments and Global Forex Investments in 2015.
The company, which took in around £37 million in investment, was presented as a secure, well-managed, ethical investment scheme that would help protect the Amazon rainforest and support local communities.
On 9 July 2019, the SFO charged Andrew Skeene, a former director of Global Forestry Investments with conspiracy to defraud, forgery, and misconduct in the course of winding up. On 31 July 2019, Omari Bowers, also a former director, was charged with conspiracy to defraud, forgery, and misconduct in the course of winding up.
On 31 May 2022, Skeene and Bowers were found guilty by a jury of three counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of misconduct in the course of winding up a company and sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment.
An application by Skeene and Bowers for permission to appeal their sentences and convictions was heard at the Court of Appeal on 7th November 2024. The court’s decision on whether to grant them permission to bring an appeal remains outstanding.
Case timeline
7 Nov 2024 – Skeene and Bowers request permission to appeal their sentences and convictions.
31 May 2022 – Andrew Nathaniel Skeene and Junie Conrad Omari Bower found guilty of three counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of misconduct in the course of winding up a company. They were sentenced to 11 years.
31 Jul 2019 – Omari Bowers, former director of Global Forestry Investments, charged with conspiracy to defraud, forgery, and misconduct in the course of winding up and ordered to face Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 2 August 2019.
9 Jul 2019 – Andrew Skeene, a former director of Global Forestry Investments, charged with conspiracy to defraud, forgery, and misconduct in the course of winding up.
25 Feb 2015 – Global Forestry Investments investigation announced by SFO. Search operation conducted at two sites in the southeast of England.
See our past press releases under “News” on the SFO’s National Archives page.
Compensation eligibility
If you paid money to Global Forestry Investments through an independent financial advisor (IFA) registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, it may be possible for you to claim compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). In addition, if you believe that you were deliberately misled by your IFA, you may wish to contact the FCA, who as the Regulatory body which deals with IFAs.
Their details are:
If you invested through Global Forestry Investments or Global Forex Investments
The insolvency practitioner tasked with winding up Global Forestry Investments is Stephen Penn of Absolute Recovery Ltd and at Global Forex Investments it is Guardian Business Recovery. As an investor you may want to contact the relevant insolvency practitioner to ascertain whether you are eligible to receive any compensation.
Absolute Recovery’s details are:
- Website: www.absolute-recovery.co.uk
- Telephone: UK 01302 572701
- Liquidator contact: Mr. Stephen Penn
Global Business Recovery’s details are:
- Website: www.gbr.uk.com
- Telephone: 020 3096 0750
- Liquidator contact: Mr. John Paylor
Support for victims and witnesses
If you have been impacted by this case and need support, please see this page for information on support services available to you.