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Ethical Forestry Limited

The Director of the SFO opened an investigation into the tree based investment schemes run by the Ethical Group that included Ethical Forestry Limited in December 2016.

The Proceeds of Crime and International Assistance Department has also opened a confiscation investigation into all suspects.

Update – 26 July 2023

On 26th July 2023, Matthew Pickard, Stephen Greenaway and Paul Laver appeared at Southwark Crown Court for a first hearing in relation to two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and one count of fraudulent trading.

A trial has been listed for early 2026 and in due course, the SFO will be in contact with individuals who have provided a witness statement in this matter.

EFL investors are asked to let the SFO know of any changes to contact details or address by emailing [email protected]. 

Charging update – 28 June 2023

On Wednesday 28th June 2023 the former directors of Ethical Forestry Limited – Matthew Pickard, Stephen Greenaway and Paul Laver – attended their first hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The former directors were each charged earlier this month with two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and one count of fraudulent trading.  The case has now been referred to Southwark Crown Court.

Charging update – 14 June 2023

On the 14th June 2023 the SFO charged the former Directors of Ethical Forestry Limited, namely; Matthew Pickard, Stephen Greenaway and Paul Laver, with the following offences:

  • Two counts of “Conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation”, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977
  • One count of “Fraudulent trading”, contrary to section 993 of the Companies Act 2006.

The Directors’ charges relate to alleged frauds concerning the running of Ethical Forestry Limited, a tree based investment scheme, between January 2008 and December 2015.

We want to thank the victims of this scheme who have engaged with us as part of this investigation, through answering our online questionnaire and providing us with useful documents. These have greatly assisted the case team with their enquiries and have allowed us to succeed in reaching this point.

We ask that you continue to retain all the documentation you have relating to your investment into Ethical Forestry Limited. If you have already sent us these documents then you do not need to send them again.

If you have completed the questionnaire, please do not forget to update us if your contact details have changed. The case team’s email address is [email protected].

We will be in contact in due course with those whose details we have already received as we progress towards trial.

Support for investor victims

If you would like help and support, our Information Sheet lists organisations that can offer support to victims of crime, and organisations offering advice on financial matters.

If you would like more information about being a victim or witness in an SFO case please visit our website page – Information for victims, witnesses and whistleblowers

Compensation

Investors who meet certain criteria may be able to claim compensation from the Financial Service Compensation Scheme (“FSCS”). For further information please visit the FSCS website at https://claims.fscs.org.uk/.

Investors update – 2 May 2023

The investigation into Ethical Forestry Limited is still ongoing. The SFO would like to thank those investors who have already completed our investigation questionnaire and ask that you please retain any correspondence or documents you hold in respect of your investment.

If you have invested funds into this scheme and are yet to complete our investigation questionnaire, we would ask that you do so here:  https://sfovla.egressforms.com/.

Should you have any queries or require assistance completing our questionnaire, please contact our dedicated Support Officers, by email at [email protected] who will be happy to assist.

Retention of Documents

Investors in Ethical Forestry Limited should advise the SFO if they have any documents relating to their investment. This includes any documents or correspondence held in an electronic format, e.g. emails. Please do not dispose or destroy any of this information as we may wish to review it as part of our investigation.

Contact Details

Please do not forget to update us if your contact details change or have changed since you completed a questionnaire.

Page published on 8 Mar 2017 | Page modified on 26 Oct 2023