OneFortyOne Appoints FWPA’s Andrew Leighton as Its New CEO

Why It Matters

Leighton’s extensive forestry and agribusiness experience could reshape OneFortyOne’s growth strategy and strengthen industry collaboration across Australia and New Zealand. The transition also signals a leadership shift for two of the region’s key wood‑product organizations.

Key Takeaways

• Andrew Leighton leaves FWPA after delivering 2023‑2028 strategic plan
• Leighton starts as OneFortyOne CEO in July, succeeding interim Michael Barbara
• OneFortyOne operates 80,000 ha of South Australian plantations and NZ timber assets
• The group employs 400 staff directly, supporting ~1,000 contractor jobs

Pulse Analysis

OneFortyOne is one of the largest privately‑owned wood‑fibre enterprises in the Trans‑Tasman region. The company controls a 105‑year lease on roughly 80,000 hectares of plantation forest in South Australia’s Green Triangle, runs a modern sawmill at Jubilee, Mount Gambier, and operates timber‑manufacturing facilities on New Zealand’s South Island. With more than 400 direct employees and an additional 1,000 jobs sustained through contractors, the group is a critical employer and supply‑chain anchor for regional economies. Its vertically integrated model gives it control over the full value chain from seedling to finished product.

Andrew Leighton arrives with over two decades of senior‑level experience across forestry, manufacturing and agribusiness. At Forest and Wood Products Australia he steered the 2023‑2028 strategic plan, emphasized industry collaboration, and helped launch research initiatives through his role on the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations board. Earlier stints include seven years as Regional President of Norske Skog Australasia and senior strategy positions at Ingham’s Group. Leighton’s track record of aligning diverse stakeholder interests and delivering measurable results positions him to drive OneFortyOne’s growth agenda and deepen its community partnerships.

The leadership change arrives at a time when sustainable timber demand and carbon‑sequestration incentives are reshaping the sector. Leighton’s expertise in strategic planning and research uptake could accelerate OneFortyOne’s investment in low‑impact harvesting, bio‑energy and value‑added wood products. Moreover, his network across Australian and New Zealand forest bodies may facilitate policy advocacy and export opportunities. As FWPA launches a rapid search for his replacement, the transition underscores the importance of continuity in governance while opening the door for fresh perspectives on regional forestry resilience.