The South Australian Government has appointed experienced business executive, Rosanne Brand, to lead the Office of the Agent General as Regional Director for the United Kingdom and Europe.
The Government said the appointment will strengthen the state’s industry, economic, trade and investment partnerships with the world’s second largest economy, following the recently signed Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement.
Based in London, Ms Brand (pictured) will lead the Office of the Agent General in connecting South Australian businesses with trade, export, and investment opportunities across the region.
Minister for State Development, Chris Picton said Ms Brand brings a combination of national security experience and commercial acumen to the role, having advised the Australian Defence Force and Federal Government on matters of strategic importance, while also driving market expansion for some of Australia’s most promising start-ups and scale-ups.
“The Australian-European Union Free Trade Agreement has the potential to facilitate greater EU investment in South Australia, supporting economic growth and more jobs,” said Mr Picton.
“That’s why the South Australian Government is acting to make sure local companies have unparalleled access and support.
“The European Union recently become a billion-dollar export market for South Australia, and through this appointment we’re enabling further export growth for years to come.”
The Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement, which will come into effect over the next two years, will result in 98% of Australia’s goods entering the European Union duty free, Minister Picton said.
The agreement eliminates tariffs on exports such as wine, seafood and horticulture and make it easier for South Australian businesses to attract foreign investment from the EU, supporting local economic growth and job creation.
Already a billion-dollar market, South Australian exports to the EU have risen 21% to $1.11 billion in the year to February 2026.
The new Regional Director will also seek trade opportunities in the United Kingdom which is already one of the state’s largest trading partners, with exports valued at more than $421 million in the year to February 2026.
In 2024, the South Australian Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Kingdom to forge closer ties in critical technology, renewable energy and defence sectors – further building on the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement and the AUKUS defence security agreement.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to take on this role at such a consequential moment. South Australia has extraordinary potential on the world stage, and I’m excited to be joining the established expert team to help realise it,” Ms Brand said.
“This agreement couldn’t come at a better time. Businesses are navigating real headwinds – geopolitical uncertainty, shifting supply chains, volatile markets. Having the right partnerships in place is essential.
“Twenty-seven countries. Over 450 million consumers. The breadth of this agreement is significant – and so is our ambition. Defence and defence manufacturing will be a priority, and the opportunities span the full breadth of our economy, from critical minerals to food, and protecting the strong foundations we’ve built in markets like wine.
“The South Australian Government has made a deliberate, consistent commitment to growth through trade and investment.”
The Office of the Agent General is one of 17 international offices the State Government has across strategically important markets. The offices work to match local South Australian business with international partnership opportunities across exports and investment.
