Rebecca Tomkinson

Agent General

Ms Tomkinson is the Agent General for Western Australia in the United Kingdom/Europe region.  Ms Tomkinson and her team based in London and Frankfurt work to attract investment and grow trade into Western Australia from the United Kingdom, Europe and Israel.

An experienced chief executive and non-executive director, Ms Tomkinson has held senior leadership roles across government, industry, and the not-for-profit sector.  Most recently, she served as Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, the peak body representing one of the world’s most significant resources jurisdictions. Prior to that, she led the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Western Australia, overseeing the delivery of critical health services across the State’s vast and remote regions.

Ms Tomkinson’s career spans strategic policy, investment attraction, regional development, and cross-sector partnerships. She has served on numerous government and industry boards, including Infrastructure Western Australia, Crown Perth, the Perth USAsia Centre, and the AROSE International Space Council. She is the immediate past Chair of the Government of Western Australia’s Future Health Research and Innovation Fund Advisory Council.

Raised in regional Western Australia, Ms Tomkinson brings a deep understanding of the State’s economic and geopolitical value. She is committed to strengthening Western Australia’s global profile and fostering enduring partnerships, trade, and investment ties internationally.

Agent_General@wago.co.uk

Sally Janssen

Executive Assistant to Agent General / Business Development Officer

Sally, originally from regional Western Australia, has been working for the European Office since 1996. She is responsible for the promotion of Western Australia’s wine and food exports. She has a WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits (QCF) and is working with producers to help introduce their products to the UK and European markets. Sally is also responsible for managing administration for the Agent General and coordinating official visits and events on behalf of the office.

+44 (0) 20 7395 0562

sally@wago.co.uk

/sally-janssen-04bb3222

David Burrows

Senior Trade and Investment Manager

David joined the London office in May 2022. Originally from South Africa, he has also lived in Brazil for 12 years where he worked in the private sector and later for UK Trade and Investment (now DIT).

David has lived in the UK for 10 years and has worked for Austrade in London, as well as several regional authorities and investment promotion agencies.

David has an Honours degree in International Relations from WITS University in Johannesburg as well as an MBA in International Business from the University of Sao Paulo.

In his role at WAGO he is focusing on attracting foreign direct investment to WA and raising the profile of the State in the UK, Europe and Israel, in particular in the Renewables, Critical Minerals, and Space sectors.

07731 999 604

david@wago.co.uk

/davidjohnburrows

Carolyn Gallop

Trade and Investment Manager

Carolyn joined the team in November 2022. Carolyn is an Associate Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI) having worked there for the last five years as the Senior Bids Manager.  Before RUSI, Carolyn worked in the academic sector raising funds for research and various project manager jobs.  She started her career in international finance working for Deutsche Bank and HSBC in Tokyo, Sydney and London.

Carolyn comes from South Stirling in Western Australia and won a Rotary Exchange student year away to Japan through the Mt Barker Rotary Club.

She graduated from the University of Western Australia achieving a Bachelor of Economics and Japanese.

In her role at WAGO she is focusing on attracting foreign direct investment to WA and raising the profile of the State in the UK, Europe and Israel, in particular the Defence, Cyber, Infrastructure and Advanced Manufacturing sectors.

07525730683

carolyn@wago.co.uk

Michael Carstens

Finance and Office Manager

Michael joined the European office in July 2017. With a commercial background in various sectors which includes the motor industry and having spent a number of years with Mercedes Benz Michael gained a wealth of knowledge in Finance and administration.

Michael left South Africa in 2003 to settle in the UK permanently. He continued his qualifications and completed a business degree BA (hon) Business and BA Cert Finance with the Open University. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Member of the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers currently completing a CIMA qualification.

As Finance and Administration Manager his role includes supporting Trade and Investment departments and overseeing the financial and administration requirements for European office.

+44 (0) 20 7395 0561

michael@wago.co.uk

/michael-carstens-21259610

Debbie Winfield

Administrative Officer

Debbie is locally employed and has been with the Agent General’s Office in London since 1988. She joined the office with more than six years administration and secretarial experience. Her role as secretary at the European Office includes assisting the administration department and supporting  the office at events and functions.

+44 (0) 20 7395 0569

debbie@wago.co.uk

/debbie-winfield-abb59412b

Vanessa Rehn

Director – Frankfurt Office

Vanessa is the Director of the Frankfurt office, serving in this position since its opening in February 2024.

Prior to this, Vanessa worked for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for nearly a decade, covering a number of foreign policy issues and undertaking a diplomatic posting to the Australian Embassy in Berlin. She also previously served as head of government relations at a clean tech startup.

Vanessa has a Master’s degree in Peace & Conflict Studies from Uppsala University in Sweden, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of Sydney.

vanessa.rehn@jtsi.wa.gov.au

Alisza Rott

Business Development Manager – Frankfurt Office

Alisza joined the team in September 2024. She holds an MBA in International Business and brings extensive business development experience to her role.

Before joining the Frankfurt office, Alisza worked for the Australian federal trade and investment promotion agency, Austrade, where she managed client relationships and developed sector and market strategies for German-speaking markets. She played a key role in identifying export and investment opportunities, particularly in Australia’s health and agriculture sectors, and established partnerships with key stakeholders in the region.

Prior to Austrade, Alisza worked for one of Germany’s largest mining companies, supporting significant investment projects around the world spanning the agriculture, food, and pharmaceutical sectors. She has also previously worked for multinational fast-moving consumer goods firms.

Alisza speaks German, English, Hungarian, Russian, and Mandarin.

In Frankfurt, Alisza covers the tech and innovation sectors, while also supporting initiatives in renewable energy and critical minerals.

alisza.rott@jtsi.wa.gov.au