Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner West Europe & Consul General Frankfurt

Tel: +49 (69) 9055 8111

Nicola Watkinson was appointed the Consul General Frankfurt and Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner, West Europe, in April 2010. She manages a network of offices in major European markets and is responsible for attracting European businesses to establish operations in Australia, in promoting Australia as a study destination, and in assisting Australian companies to enter the European market. In addition, her consular team provides services to the southern regions of Germany.

Prior to taking up her current role Nicola spent eighteen months as National Manager Investment with Austrade, providing leadership and strategic direction for the investment attraction work of Austrade globally. Nicola was Senior Investment Commissioner for Europe, Middle East and Africa from 2003-2009, based in Germany. She managed a team across the region which worked closely with top European and Middle Eastern firms to identify opportunities for their business in Australia, and to support them in setting up new operations and to expand their existing operations. Nicola has also worked in North Asian markets, with a particular focus on Japan, China and Korea. Her private sector experience in the UK, Germany and Australia 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), the CSIRO Advanced Manufacturing Advisory Group, the Australia China Business Council, the Australia Korea Business Council, the Swiss Australian Chamber of Commerce, and the Australian Business in Europe (German and Australia Chapters).