New WA Agent General appointed

Western Australia welcomes a new Agent General in November this year.

Fremantle Ports Chief Executive Officer Kerry Sanderson AO has been appointed to the Agent General role for a two-year term and will be based in London in the Western Australian Global Network - Europe office.

Historically the Agent General has played an important role in maintaining and promoting business, government and cultural ties with Europe. 

The Agent General works within the WA Global Network, the head office for which is in Perth at the Department of Industry and Resources (DoIR). The office coordinates 15 overseas offices spanning 12 countries and aims to realise WA’s economic potential and ensure the State's international interests are protected and developed. 

Ms Sanderson said she was looking forward to taking up her new post.
 
“I’m very pleased to accept this opportunity and I would like to thank the Premier for recommending me to the Governor for this appointment,” she said.

“I will certainly be working hard and using my experience in economics and trade to ensure that the confidence placed in me returns benefits for Western Australians.

“Promoting Western Australia will be a pleasure for me.”

Within the area of responsibility of the European Office are 49 countries that Western Australia has some trade with, stretching from Iceland in the mid-Atlantic to Russia.

Europe is currently the largest source of foreign direct investment for WA and Australia.  Total trade between geographical Europe and WA for 2007 was $15 billion ranking Europe second only to China among WA’s most important trading partners.

The role of Agent General involves both a diplomatic and a trade and investment function, with the Agent General operating across the full range of Government Ministerial portfolios including Industry, Resources, Agriculture, Tourism, Education and Culture.

A primary focus of the Agent General’s work will be on trade and investment, together with skilled migration, to help continue to fuel the State's impressive growth.

The Premier said Mrs Sanderson would be an excellent representative for WA in Europe.
 
“I have every confidence that Mrs Sanderson’s outstanding skills and experience will ensure the effective promotion of WA throughout Europe,” Mr Carpenter said.

“Mrs Sanderson has had extensive experience within the public sector, formerly holding senior positions within the Departments of Transport (Deputy Director General) and Treasury (Director, Economic and Financial Policy).”
 
She has also held positions on numerous boards and associations including the Board of the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), Ports Australia, the Council of Curtin University and the Australian Logistics Council.

Mrs Sanderson was named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2004 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for service to the development and management of the port and maritime industries in Australia, and to public sector governance in the areas of finance and transport.