Lord Ian Botham visits Australia to boost trade
During the UK Trade Envoy's week-long programme in Australia, he will focus on opportunities from free trade agreement, green industrial revolution and defence collaboration.
On 5 December, Lord Ian Botham started his programme of events and engagement across Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Newcastle and Sydney. He will be meeting with contacts from politics, business and industry groups to boost trade links at every level.
The UK Trade Envoy will meet with the UK’s Railway Industry Association, in Australia for AusRail and the first in-person rail trade mission since 2019. He will also meet with members of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee to identify opportunities for close collaboration around the sports economy.
He will also meet with Queensland Treasurer, Cameron Dick, attend a quantum technology roundtable hosted by the University of Queensland and meet with members of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce.
In Botham’s first visit to Newcastle as UK Trade Envoy he will meet with Royal Air Force staff who are seconded into the Australian Air Force. He will then join BAE Systems for a tour of the Hawk Joint Strike Fighter maintenance facility and visit Martin Baker to see lifesaving fighter ejection seats.
He will also meet with Minister Tim Ayres and host a panel event with Pride in Sports and the Westminster Bridge Young Leaders network. Finally, he will receive a real-time demonstration of how UK technology developed by Rapiscan is protecting native Australian animals from illegal trafficking.
UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Australia, Ian Botham said:
This is an exciting time to be back on the ground in Australia, meeting fantastic people and companies working to promote trade and investment between Australia and the UK. There are so many opportunities here - from sports economy to defence - and I’m delighted to be continuing my work to boost British business across Australia.
Louise Cantillon, British Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner Asia Pacific (Australia and New Zealand) said:
It’s an exciting time to host Lord Ian Botham, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Australia. We have huge momentum with the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement due to enter into force early next year and CPTPP negotiations progressing. If you are a British company looking to expand then come to Australia!
Media contact
Hazel Gidley
Head of Communications Australia and Oceania
Email: hazel.gidley@fcdo.gov.uk
Mobile: +61 (0) 406 746 806
Further information
About Trade Envoys
Trade Envoys are unpaid and voluntary roles created by UK PM Boris Johnson to boost British business in key markets. The UK’s relationship with Australia is a top priority. This is evident from the signing of the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement in December 2021.
About the UK’s Department for International Trade
The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT):
- helps businesses export
- drives inward and outward investment
- negotiates market access and trade deals
- champions free trade
Find out more about DIT.