New Forests was the Sustainable Investment Awards judges' choice as winner of the Boutique investment manager of the year category for the APAC region.

The Australian natural capital investor manages around AUD12 billion ($8.4 billion), covering 4.3 million hectares in forestry, agriculture and land use assets.

Over the past year, it has continued to expand its strategies, acquiring assets across Asia and Australia. Last August, its Australia and New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund (ANZFF) made several significant investments, including a 50% stake in New South Wales large-scale beef breeding operation McPhee Beef and the acquisition of Bunya Orchards, a macadamia orchard in Queensland earlier this year.

It also closed the Australia & New Zealand Forestry Fund 2, following the disposal of two New Zealand forestry assets to APG Asset Management, having delivered strong returns over the 10-year life of the closed-end fund.

It was also able to demonstrate innovation in Southeast Asia as Burapha Agroforestry in Laos, a majority-owned portfolio company of Tropical Asia Forest Fund 2, completed its first verified carbon credit issuance and inaugural commercial sale of verified carbon units.