Ms Cole will also join the company’s executive committee, with responsibilities for business strategy and management.

She said it was a pleasure to be joining a “rising and ambitious company” that prioritises strong and experienced legal, governance, risk and compliance programs.

“As a steadily growing investment management business, New Forests must navigate increasing regulatory complexities and diverse financial, legal and operating environments,” she said.

“I look forward to leading our team in the provision of high-quality services that not only support New Forests but also generate efficiencies and value for our investment clients.”

New Forests chief executive David Brand added that he felt Ms Cole would be an asset to the investment management firm.

“Margaret’s extensive experience in global financial markets, and particularly in alternative investments, will be a tremendous resource to New Forests and the investment funds we manage,” he said.

“Not only is she a veteran general counsel, but Margaret has shepherded businesses through significant growth phases, with a view toward deploying effective and pragmatic approaches to legal and compliance services.”

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New Forests, which is headquartered in Sydney and has regional investment teams in Singapore and San Francisco, specialises in sustainable forestry investment and conservation finance and managed commingled funds and separate accounts for institutional investors, with $4.5 billion in assets and funds under management.

The firm’s investments cover more than 900,000 hectares of forests and land across six countries, it noted in a statement.