Investing in Forestry

cheshirecheapskate

Hi,

I am currently in the process of transfering my pension into a SIPP and am looking at a specific investment in forestry relating to the production of Oudh oil from the Aguilaria tree.

The pension I have was a company pension but I am no longer paying into it and subsquently it is only shrinking as the pension company take the management charges whilst it under performs.

Anyway, the opportunity is with a company called World Forestry Fiji or World Forestry Monaco and although I have done my research into both companies and on the surface it looks reputable I am still unsure as I have been unable to find any CONCRETE information relating to either company. The UK registered company is dormant according to companies house and the advisor has said this is because it is being run by the parent company, World Forestry Monaco. All the literature I have been provided with looks great and the investment provides a 16% compound interest gain over 6 - 8years. Fantastic numbers if it is correct and the facts regarding the production of Oudh seem real and certainly achievable. Nonetheless I am still a little apprehensive and was hoping someone might also have invested in this plantation.

The investment and SIPP is controlled by 5G Wealth Management and the management company is World Forestry Fiji so anyone with any feedback on either of these would be greatly appreciated.


Cheers
T

Annisele

If it looks too good to be true...

I don't understand how the company can "look reputable" if you can't find any concrete information on them. Reputable companies are easy to verify.

I strongly suspect that you're talking about an unregulated collective investment scheme (UCIS) of some sort. If you're not an extremely knowledgeable investor with a lot of money and a high risk tolerance, steer well clear. If you are, then ask more questions of whoever is promoting the scheme to you until you are satisfied that everything is legit, then take the evidence that satisfied you off to an independent adviser and get their take on it.

somethingcorporate

Sounds dodgy to me, anything suggesting such ridiculous returns always do.

If it sounds too good to be true it invariably is. There was another recent forestry investment thread that I posted on where the returns just do not stand up to scrutiny and any legitimacy they try to provide is all self-promotion.

dunstonh

The pension I have was a company pension but I am no longer paying into it and subsquently it is only shrinking as the pension company take the management charges whilst it under performs.

That isnt how pensions work.

Anyway, the opportunity is with a company called World Forestry Fiji or World Forestry Monaco and although I have done my research into both companies and on the surface it looks reputable

Another weird and wonderful investment opportunity with no consumer protection investing in things which are a fad.

All the literature I have been provided with looks great and the investment provides a 16% compound interest gain over 6 - 8years.

1 - it wont be interest
2 - they dont have to comply with UK regulations on reporting and you typically find flaws in what is said.
3 - damned high risk.

oldtoolie

Be sure you know how much your state pension will be because if you do this scheme, it is your state pension you will be living on.

doughnutmachine

why would any business give 16% returns to outsiders? if i had a business making that type of return i wouldn't be asking strangers to the party.

taking_stock

cheshirecheapskate wrote: »

Hi,

I am currently in the process of transfering my pension into a SIPP and am looking at a specific investment in forestry relating to the production of Oudh oil from the Aguilaria tree.

The pension I have was a company pension but I am no longer paying into it and subsquently it is only shrinking as the pension company take the management charges whilst it under performs.

Anyway, the opportunity is with a company called World Forestry Fiji or World Forestry Monaco and although I have done my research into both companies and on the surface it looks reputable I am still unsure as I have been unable to find any CONCRETE information relating to either company. The UK registered company is dormant according to companies house and the advisor has said this is because it is being run by the parent company, World Forestry Monaco. All the literature I have been provided with looks great and the investment provides a 16% compound interest gain over 6 - 8years. Fantastic numbers if it is correct and the facts regarding the production of Oudh seem real and certainly achievable. Nonetheless I am still a little apprehensive and was hoping someone might also have invested in this plantation.

The investment and SIPP is controlled by 5G Wealth Management and the management company is World Forestry Fiji so anyone with any feedback on either of these would be greatly appreciated.


Cheers
T

if i were suspicious, i would guess that the OP already has an interest in the company.... probably owns it and is looking for free advertising. of course i dont know the truth, but the suspicion of what is at best, sharp practice, would make me steer very well clear.

taking_stock

quick bit of reasearch reveals this about Ian Cawkwell's business...

Acornford Estates Limited was incorporated on 17 Sep 1992 and is located in Surrey. The company's status is active, with a team of 2 directors. Ian Charles Cawkwell is Acornford Estates Limited's sole shareholder. They have no known group companies. Acornford Estates Limited have total assets of £0 plus total liabilities of £1,090,064. They owe £1,090,064 to creditors and are due £70,982 from trade debtors. As of their last financial statement, they had £1,601,946 in cash reserves. Their book value is £639,333, and the value of their shareholders' fund is £639,333.

i've no idea of the veracity, but the info was from

https://www.duedil.com/company/02748294/acornford-estates-limited

Eonel

A first time poster asking "innocent" questions about a "fantastic" investment opportunity promptly followed up by reassuring answers from a company director.

The whole thing stinks and has been reported as spam.

doughnutmachine

Iancawkwell wrote: »

In answer to doughnutmachine's question, please analyse in detail our business plan and look at our operational plantations. We cannot be more transparent with our information. The business was set up as a retail fund because we need external investment to grow and develop it. As you will know the banks aren't lending so private investors deserve healthy returns on their capital contributions.

sorry, i had a google for your business plan and couldn't find it?

i did see some half hearted thoughts about planting trees and harvesting the resin to sell for perfumes etc. i hate to p1ss on your parade, but the trees aren't going to grow enough in a year to harvest. so i cant see where you get your 16% return from?

perhaps if you post your business plan the good people on MSE could critique it for you? it seems that the banks might have been right not to lend you money...

Chloe_Candles

Its obvious all of you have no clue what you are talking about! Apart from the owner of the plantation! Oud is one of the most expensive 'fragrance' additions in the world. The current UK price for Oud is £7,500 per half a kilo - call Phoenix fragrances in Wellingborough for a quote! The demand is rising and so is the price....If I had the spare money would invest in an instant.....There are so many scams in the world today that everyones instant thought is 'its too good to be true' Take the time to look into this further, contact the Government in Fiji, get more info...you will kick yourself if you don't have all the facts...