MEDIA RELEASE

12 September 2017

Roberts Gray Lawyers & Veale Wasbrough Vizards explore UK/Australia opportunities

Rhys Watson, principal of Roberts Gray’s Corporate Advisory team and David Emanuel, corporate partner and Chairman at VWV, recently met up in London to discuss ongoing projects, including a meeting with the Agent-General of the State of Victoria, Ken Ryan AM, at Australia House. Both firms have technology clients with worldwide trade and investment opportunities, including agribusiness and mining. Education is another area of common interest, with client institutions in both countries looking internationally for growth. David Emanuel of VWV commented that “Brexit means UK businesses are having to rethink their growth strategies and build new trading relationships around the world. Part of our job as lawyers is to forge close links with firms like Roberts Gray to help clients explore opportunities in other markets. UK SME’s have been less proactive historically in seeking business overseas than, say, their German counterparts. That will now change as a consequence of Brexit, and we need to do what we can to help our clients continue to thrive in a new trading environment. Australia is an obvious focus of interest given our combined history and culture, two strong economies, and opportunities to work together on initiatives worldwide.” Rhys Roberts, Managing Director of Roberts Gray said “The EU and Australia begin negotiating a trade deal shortly, and the shape of that is likely to have a significant bearing on any future UK/Australia trading agreement. However, that is likely to be some years away, and in the meantime it is clear Australian and UK businesses and private individuals want to get on and explore opportunities available now and we look forward to supporting our clients and working with firms like VWV.”