With the break-up in the open, what next for Andrew Forrest?
The decline in their relationship had been a topic of gossip throughout Perth’s wealthy western suburbs for some time.
For those within the powerful and at times chaotic orbit of Andrew and Nicola Forrest, the confirmation of their separation has been met with a mix of relief and concern.
Relief, because their decision to lead separate lives is finally out in the open.
The decline in their relationship – a topic of widespread speculation and gossip along St Georges Tce and throughout Perth’s wealthy western suburbs for a considerable amount of time – would take a toll on anybody and keeping the situation secret had only added to the pressure and stress on each of them.
The concern, however, stems from the uncertainty around just how the newly untethered Dr Forrest will act without the presence of the one and only person who has been a constant in his life over the past three decades.
One of those close to Dr Forrest hopes that making their split public could be a “truth will set you free” moment for both them and the people around them. “It’s really good it’s out in the open, it’s been really difficult for a lot of people,” one senior Perth source said.
Dr Forrest has always lived at a frenetic pace, but that has notably intensified in recent years as he directed more and more of his energy back into Fortescue.
He returned as the company’s executive chairman last year and has been the driving force behind its ambitious and contentious push to become the dominant player in hydrogen energy.
Many within Fortescue and the Forrests’ private vehicle Tattarang have simply been unable to keep up with the intensity of Dr Forrest, leading to eye-catching levels of turnover in both companies’ senior ranks.
The Fortescue founder has never been one to back away from a stoush, but his decisions earlier this year to pick a fight with fellow Perth billionaire Kerry Stokes over The West Australian’s coverage of his business dealings and battle with one-time business partner Mike Cannon-Brookes over the Sun Cable solar project stood out even by his standards.
“Now they are living separate lives, hopefully he reins in some of his behaviour and tackles some of the challenges he has caused,” one person who knows the couple said.
Nicola had up until now been seen as the reliable and stable presence in Andrew’s life, and there is some uncertainty over how he will be without her steadying influence.
The other great uncertainty is just how long the amicable front presented by the pair in their joint statement of Wednesday night can last.
Most separations start that way, but few stay that way. The size of the prize, and the almost limitless legal capacities of both parties, means maintaining that collegiality could prove even harder than normal.
“Everyone always says it’s going to be amicable. Then there’s a blue and it gets untidy,” one Perth source said.
“I can’t imagine how this will be any different.”
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