The Big Scrub Rainforest Foundation Directors
The directors of the Foundation bring together extensive experience as directors of companies involved in banking, financial services and manufacturing, resources and earth sciences, in managing businesses and not-for-profit organisations. They have broad experience in rainforest restoration and the management of rainforest restoration projects.
Richard Parkes, Chairman: Richard has a Bachelor of Science from Maquarie University, majoring in Earth Sciences/Geosciences. Richard has held CEO and COO roles, senior management, technical and board positions in numerous listed and private companies in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Richard’s specific expertise relates to financial management, community, indigenous and stakeholder relations, compliance and government liaison and complex project delivery in numerous jurisdictions in Australia and the region. Richard brings this experience and expertise to the Big Scrub Foundation. Richard has worked closely with his father, Tony Parkes, on the design and delivery of many BSF projects and has continued Tony’s legacy with ownership of the family property, TARRA and succeeded Tony as Chair upon his retirement from the role.
Dr Tony Parkes, Past Chairman and Founder: The Founder and Past Chair of the Foundation is Dr Tony Parkes AO, BSc (Hons), PhD. Tony has 25 years’ experience in funding and directing more than 40 restoration projects and in restoring rainforest on a third of his family farm. Tony received a National Award for Community Environmental Leadership from the Australian Minister for the Environment and Energy in 2016. Previous positions in business and financial services include, chairman of Lloyds Bank NZA, Lloyds Corporate Advisory Services and Parbury Ltd; Director of Lloyd’s Merchant Bank (UK), Wormald Ltd; Tyco International (USA); CEO of Parklands and Properties and General Manager, Cresco Fertilisers Eastern Australia. Tony is also the co-founder of Big Scrub Landcare which became the Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy and served as President from inception in 1993 until his retirement from the role in 2024.
Dr Peter Bowen, Director: Peter achieved a University Medal with his BE in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in Systems Engineering. Peter’s career with CSR included Managing Director of New Zealand Sugar, General Manager of The Refined Sugars Group and Managing Director of Monier PGH. Over the last 20 years he has volunteered his time to numerous non-profit NGOs and mentoring business leaders in the Northern Rivers.
Shannon Greenfields, Director: Shannon has a degree in Environmental Science and was the former Manager of Big Scrub Landcare but now works in government. She has extensive experience in rainforest regeneration, managing rainforest restoration projects, science communications and all aspects of community and stakeholder engagement.
Will Jephcott (BCom, UNSW), Director: Will has more than 35 years of experience in finance, corporate advisory, and governance. He began his career with CSR and ROC Oil before moving into corporate advisory, later co-founding Centaurus Corporate Finance, which was acquired by Merrill Lynch Australia in 1997.
Will has served as Chair, Deputy Chair, and Director of public and private companies, as well as several not-for-profit organisations.
Will’s passion for rainforest conservation began in the late 1980s after being introduced by Dr. Tony Parkes to the vision of protecting and restoring the Big Scrub. In 1991, his family purchased a 100-acre former dairy farm at Brooklet and, with the encouragement of Tony Parkes and others, planted more than 80,000 rainforest trees. The restored forest now provides valuable habitat for a wide range of native birds and wildlife.
Georgina Jones, Director: Georgina has a degree in Environmental Science and extensive experience in bush regeneration, delivering rainforest restoration projects and working with community environmental groups. Georgina has been a member of Landcare for over 20 years.