A new regional director to strengthen business opportunities in the world’s second largest economy has been appointed by the South Australian Government to support companies to take advantage of the recently signed Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement.
Rosanne Brand, an experienced business executive, has been appointed as the Regional Director for the United Kingdom and Europe based in London. She is leading the Office of the Agent General in connecting South Australian businesses with trade, export and investment opportunities across the region.
She brings with her a rare combination of national security experience and commercial acumen, 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 startups and scale-ups.
Her appointment comes after Australia signed a significant free trade agreement with the European Union in March 2026 – a region with a high-income market of approximately 450 million people.
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.
The FTA will eliminate tariffs on exports including wine, seafood and horticulture, making it easier for South Australian businesses to attract foreign investment from the European Union, supporting local economic growth and job creation.
Ahead of the FTA, South Australian exports to the European Union have risen 21% to $1.11 billion in the year to February 2026
As the new Regional Trade Director, Rosanne will also explore trade opportunities in the United Kingdom, one of South Australia’s largest trading partners, with exports valued at more than $421 million in the year to February 2026.
The South Australian Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Kingdom in 2024 to force closer ties in the sectors of critical technology, renewable energy and defence, 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,” said Rosanne. “South Australia has extraordinary potential on the world stage, and I'm excited to be joining the established expert team to help realise it.
"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. This agreement is the next chapter in that story.”
One of the South Australian Government’s 17 international trade and investment offices, the Office of the Agent General works to match local South Australian companies with international partnership opportunities across trade and investment.
