Tony Simons has worked for over 30 years on issues at the agriculture/forestry interface. This experience has been gained in over 50 countries in the private sector (Shell), academia (University of Oxford), official development assistance (ODA/DFID) and research (CGIAR). He has a PhD in tree genetics from Cambridge University (UK) as well as an Honorary Professorship in Tropical Forestry at the University of Copenhagen. He has published over 100 research papers and has mentored dozens of young scientists in developing countries. Tony is passionate about the transformative and profitable change that the private sector can bring to development having established partnerships with MARS Inc., DANONE, Syngenta, Boehringer and Unilever. He also sits on various Boards and Investment committees including Global Restoration Council, ACTS, Livelihoods Fund and Tropical Landscape Finance Facility.