The Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia (CMEWA) Chief Executive Rebecca Tomkinson is stepping into a new role as Western Australia’s new Agent General for the UK and Europe region.
Appointed by the Governor of Western Australia, Tomkinson will work alongside Western Australia’s Investment and Trade Commissioner to help grow and diversify the state’s economy through global engagement across key sectors including energy, mining, infrastructure, defence, innovation and education.
Based in the UK, Tomkinson will oversee the Invest and Trade Western Australia offices based in London and Frankfurt. Tomkinson will also oversee the development and implementation of strategic migration strategies in the UK to source skilled workers.
Tomkinson, who will step down from the CMEWA role in September 2025, says Western Australia plays a critical role on the global stage and she looks forward to continuing to strengthen the state’s capabilities and ambition through this role.
“I’m grateful to the CME board and members for their support and for the opportunity to contribute to such a vital sector of the WA economy,” she says.
Tomkinson is currently travelling and was unable to comment further to Mining.com.au prior to going to press.
The UK and Europe are considered major trading partners for Western Australia, with both countries being the state’s fourth largest trading partner in 2024, trading $16.6 billion of goods.
Premier Roger Cook says the Agent General serves a vital role in the UK and Europe.
“The UK and Europe are critical to the diversification and decarbonisation of our State’s economy, with strong interest across a number of sectors, including energy, mining and the defence industries,” Cook says.
“I have no doubt Ms Tomkinson will make a vital contribution to my government’s vision of Western Australia remaining the strongest economy in the nation, and there being no better place to get a quality job.”
CMEWA President Simon Trott says Tomkinson’s appointment is a testament to her leadership and commitment to the economic and social development of Western Australia.
“She has strengthened CME’s voice as the peak body for WA’s resource sector, broadened our engagement with stakeholders and helped elevate the industry’s role in shaping WA and the nation’s future,” Trott says.
A formal recruitment process for a new CEO at CMEWA will begin shortly.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: CMEWA
