Johan Eliasch

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Johan Eliasch (born February 1962, Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish born businessman based in London. Johan Eliasch has served as Chairman of the Management Board of sporting goods manufacturer Head N.V. and Group CEO since September 1995. He is the British Prime Minister's Special Representative on Deforestation and Clean Energy, a board member of the Centre for Social Justice, a member of the Advisory Boards of Brasilinvest, Societe du Louvre and the British Olympic Association, Chairman of Starr Underwriting Agents, Co-Chairman of Cool Earth, President of the Global Strategy Forum and a Patron of Stockholm University. Eliasch has two sons; Charles and Jack.

The organization Cool Earth, which he is co-chairman is being investigated by the Brazilian federal police for illegal activities on the Amazon region.

[edit] Amazon land purchase

In 2006, Eliasch reportedly purchased 400,000 acres (1,600 km²) of land in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest from Gethal, a defunct logging company in Brazil; the land is estimated to have cost £8m.[1]

The plot is located just north of the Madeira River and 1,600 miles (2600 km) northwest of São Paulo. Eliasch cited environmental reasons as his motivation, saying "The Amazon is the lung of the world". He has also invited scientists to explore his land in search of undiscovered species.

He is also lobbying for other private enterprises to buy out the Amazon forest, which he priced at $50 billion.