Global Forestry Investments
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-20)

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.

An application by Skeene and Bowers for permission to appeal their sentences and convictions was heard at the Court of Appeal on 7 November 2024. On 21 January 2025, the sentences and convictions of both men were upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Case timeline

28 July 2025 – Andrew Skeene was ordered to pay back £170,000 within three months or have two years added to his sentence. Omari Bowers, to pay £1 within 28 days or get a one-day sentence in default, due to Mr Bowers’ lack of funds.

20 March 2025 – the Court of Appeal refused applications by Skeene and Bowers to appeal to the Supreme Court.

21 Jan 2025 – the sentences and convictions of Skeene and Bowers were unanimously upheld by the Court of Appeal.

8 Feb 2024 and 7 Nov 2024 - Hearings in Court of Appeal of Skeene and Bowers’ applications for permission to appeal their sentences and convictions.

31 May 2022 – Andrew Nathaniel Skeene and Junie Conrad Omari Bowers 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 (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C18071).

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:
- FCA: https://www.fca.org.uk contact (https://www.fca.org.uk/contact)
- FSCS: https://www.fscs.org.uk (https://www.fscs.org.uk/)
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 (https://www.absolute-recovery.co.uk)
- Telephone: UK xx-xxxx-xxxx
- Liquidator contact: Mr. Stephen Penn
Global Business Recovery’s details are:
- Website: www.gbr.uk.com (https://www.gbr.uk.com)
- Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx
- 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 (https://gov.uk/government/collections/information-for-victims-and-witnesses) for information on support services available to you.