Investment specialists, India
Nicola Watkinson
Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, South Asia, New Delhi
Tel: +91 11 4575 6210
Nicola Watkinson has recently taken up the role of Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, South Asia and has responsibility for promoting trade, investment and education linkages between Australia and India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Prior to taking up her current role, Nicola spent 3 years as Consul General Frankfurt and Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner, West Europe. In this capacity she worked closely with top European firms to identify opportunities for their business in Australia and support them to set up new operations and expand their existing businesses and managed offices in France, Italy, Sweden, Spain and Germany. In addition Nicola ran the consulate and acted as the Australian Government representative for the southern region of Germany.
Nicola was Global Head of Investment based in Melbourne from 2009-2010 and Senior Investment Commissioner for Europe, Middle East and Africa from 2003-2009 based in Frankfurt. Nicola has also worked in North Asian markets with a particular focus on Japan, China and Korea.
Nicola’s work in international business development has given her extensive experience working alongside major corporations and fast growing technology companies. Her private sector experience in the UK, Australia and Germany has ensured she has a well-developed understanding of what companies look for when expanding their business internationally.
Nicola has held various board level positions including the Australian Capability Network (Victorian Chapter), CSIRO Advanced Manufacturing Advisory Group, Australia China Business Council and Australia Korea Business Council, Swiss Australian Chamber of Commerce and the Australian Business in Europe (German and Australia Chapters).
Kylie Bell
Investment Commissioner for South Asia, Mumbai
Tel: +91 22 6116 7117
Kylie Bell is Austrade’s Investment Commissioner for South Asia, based in Mumbai.
Kylie is responsible for promoting and facilitating productive investment into Australia from India and the wider South Asian region. Kylie and her team work with leading Indian businesses across all industries, with a focus on: mining and resources; financial services; clean energy and environment; infrastructure; ICT and health; auto and advanced manufacturing; and food and agribusiness.
Prior to her role in India, Kylie was based in Sydney, where she managed Austrade’s Client Service Group. She has also held a number of positions across Austrade’s international network including Trade Commissioner roles in Spain, the Philippines and Malaysia.
Mahesh Rathod
Senior Investment Manager, Mumbai
Tel: +91 22 6116 7125
Mahesh Rathod, Austrade's Senior Investment Manager in Mumbai, is responsible for attracting and facilitating productive inward investments (FDI) from India into Australia.
Mahesh's experience includes working for NASSCOM, a premier industry association, and the Government of Mauritius.
He speaks English, Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi and holds a Bachelors Degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Computer Science.