Edgars Birks Appointed CEO to Lead LFDF into a New Era of Growth
From August 14, 2025, the Latvian Forest Development Fund (LFDF) will be led by Edgars Birks – one of Latvia’s most accomplished professionals in forestry and forest investment fund management. With more than a decade of experience in high-level strategic projects – including a pivotal role in SCA’s acquisition of 50,000 hectares – Edgars joins LFDF with a clear objective: to accelerate growth and strengthen the Fund’s leadership position in the Baltic market.
“We are confident that Edgars’ appointment marks the start of a new and ambitious phase for LFDF. His strategic vision, proven track record in managing large-scale assets, and deep understanding of market dynamics will be essential in achieving our goals. Over the coming years, we plan to significantly expand our managed portfolio, enhance its productivity, and deliver even greater long-term value to our investors,” commented Owner of LFDF Jānis Upenieks.
Edgars Birks shared his vision: “I see LFDF as a unique opportunity to unite sustainable forest management with high-return investment goals. My career has taught me that a truly successful fund is built not only on strong financial results but also on creating lasting value through the preservation of natural resources. LFDF’s team has the energy, expertise, and commitment needed to become a market leader in the Baltics – and I am ready to turn that ambition into reality.”
Proven Expertise in Large-Scale Forestry Investments
Edgars began his career in hands-on forestry and logging operations, planning, organising, and supervising forest management activities. He progressed to managing private Scandinavian investor properties, developing and executing budgets, securing EU funding for reforestation, maintenance, and drainage restoration, implementing forestry IT systems, and certifying forests to FSC and PEFC sustainable management standards.
He has successfully led large-scale land consolidation projects, managing portfolios exceeding 10,000 hectares. Over the past five years, he has been instrumental in building Latvia’s third-largest private forest portfolio – more than 50,000 hectares – by driving property and company acquisitions, developing sustainability-focused management programmes, optimising forestry operations, strengthening budget and cash flow planning, and building a high-performing asset management team. A significant part of his professional experience comes from close cooperation with SCA – Europe’s largest private forest owner, holding 2.7 million hectares and boasting over 100 years of expertise in forestry investment and management.
“The Fund already has a strong foundation. Our next step is to use that base as a springboard for accelerated growth. Our strength lies in our ability to act quickly on market opportunities, work with a trusted network of investors through Debitum Investments, and introduce innovation in forest management. This is the moment for LFDF to set the standard for the industry in the Baltics,” says Edgars Birks.
The Latvian Forest Development Fund (www.lfdf.eu) is an investment fund specialising in the acquisition, management, and development of forest assets. Its strategy is built on sustainable forestry principles, delivering both strong financial returns and environmental stewardship for future generations. LFDF’s mission is to create long-term value for investors while unlocking the full potential of the forest sector in Latvia and across the Baltics.
