Arabella Rothwell
Melbourne,VIC
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief of Staff/Strategic Advisor
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TRADE AND INVESTMENT OFFICE LONDON
12.2020 - Current
- Deliver high quality advice, briefings and presentations for the Victorian Agent General to the UK and Commissioner to Europe & Israel on economic, regulatory and political changes impacting trade and investment activities between Victoria and the United Kingdom (UK) & Europe
- Support the Commissioner with operational management, including business and workforce planning, reporting requirements and development of business strategies
- Develop strategies and maintain effective business relationships and networks with government and key stakeholders across the UK and Europe
- Support the investment team to implement the Victorian Government investment attraction and engagement strategy to attract UK and European based companies to invest in Victoria
- Manage trade staff and oversee the development of strategic and high impact trade strategies and initiatives to assist Victorian companies to grow exports
- Represent the Commissioner and Victorian Government at high level business, industry and government meetings including delivering speeches and presentations.
- Managed cross-functional teams to ensure smooth collaboration and completion of high-priority projects.
- Optimized organizational structures, leading to increased efficiency and better resource allocation.
- Developed and executed strategic initiatives for improved company growth and long-term success.
- Conducted regular performance reviews for direct reports, providing constructive feedback for continuous professional growth.
- Mentored and developed junior staff members; fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration within the organization.
- Facilitated productive meetings by creating well-organized agendas and ensuring clear communication of objectives.
- Performed financial and managerial analyses to evaluate data and make recommendations, prepare financial reports and projections and conduct presentations.
- Established successful partnerships with external organizations, expanding business opportunities and resources available to the company.
- Managed business operations while overseeing contractors and consultants to verify on-time completion of key deliverables.
- Improved internal processes through thorough review, resulting in a reduction of wasted time and resources.
- Developed analytical frameworks, data models and relevant insights to support prioritization, scoping and effective decision-making throughout organization.
- Created reports, presentations and other materials for executive staff.
- Built highly-efficient administrative team through ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities.
- Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, conducted performance reviews and administered salaries for staff.
- Identified opportunities to streamline processes and improve office operations and efficiency.
- Analyzed and solved multi-faceted problems that effected executive leaders and business initiatives.
- Built and managed processes for tracking and monitoring department performance.
- Managed supervisor itinerary and appointments and streamlined scheduling procedures.
- Developed internal requirements and standards to minimize regulatory risks and liability across programs.
- Created organized filing system to manage department documents.
- Negotiated and executed contracts on behalf of department.
- Organized and updated databases, records and other information resources.
- Improved office operations by automating client correspondence, record tracking and data communications.
- Improved customer satisfaction scores through application of superior conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
- Conducted market research to identify customer needs and preferences.
- Implemented cost-saving measures across various departments, contributing to improved bottom line results.
- Managed complex projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes.
- Conducted thorough market research to identify untapped opportunities for business expansion.
- Supported executive leadership in decision-making processes by providing insightful recommendations backed by robust data analytics.
- Developed effective business strategies through thorough industry research and data-driven insights.
- Evaluated potential investments by conducting financial analysis and risk assessments for informed decisionmaking.
- Negotiated favorable terms with external partners, contributing to increased profitability and stronger partnerships.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders to optimize collaboration and drive mutual success.
- Contributed expertise towards crafting grant applications for funding opportunities that supported organizational growth efforts.
- Designed and executed strategic plans that aligned with corporate objectives, driving sustainable growth.
- Evaluated current processes to develop improvement plans.
- Reviewed internal systems and organized training plans to address areas in need of improvement.
- Evaluated diverse organizational systems to identify workflow, communication, and resource utilization issues.
- Created and optimized records management strategies to coordinate and protect information.
- Conducted thorough reviews of operations to devise and deploy improvement strategies.
Investment Director
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TRADE AND INVESTMENT OFFICE LONDON
07.2019 - 12.2020
- Led the investment team across UK, Europe, and Israel, managing staff in Israel and consultants in Germany and the Benelux
- During this time, I directly secured projects delivering over 100 FTE and $25 million in capital expenditure and oversaw projects delivering 736 FTE and $178 million in capital expenditure
- Managed the investment pipeline and executed investment strategies for the region including outreach for investment campaigns, reporting requirements and delivery against targets for the region
- Delivered market research identifying over 100 potential technology targets with investment potential
- Developed and presented value proposition to potential investors to influence decision makers within companies.
Trade and Whole of Government Manager
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TRADE AND INVESTMENT OFFICE LONDON
12.2016 - 07.2019
- Managed trade activities including responding to all trade enquiries, building, and maintaining relationships with key Victorian companies in the UK and established an understanding of the key opportunities and relationships within priority trade sectors
- Delivered outbound and inbound trade missions, logistics, business matching and managed the delivery of events
- Initiated and established a trade missions to London Tech Week
- This program has now successfully operated for five years, supported over 250 companies and is one of Global Victoria’s best performing trade missions in terms of export outcomes
- Managed the coordination and delivery of Ministerial and Departmental visits including logistics and on-the-ground arrangements, planning, developing detailed itineraries, meetings, presentations, follow-up, and guidance
- Delivered the Premier’s visit to Israel and Greece and coordinated up to 12 visits in market per year.
Chief Executive Office
UNITED KINGDOM EXPORT FINANCE (UKEF)
11.2015 - 12.2016
- Analysed and developed policy positions on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and European Union (EU) regulation of export credit agencies, including commercial interest reference rates, sustainable lending and anti-bribery requirements
- Secretariat for the Export Guarantee Advisory Council, prepared meetings, minutes, agendas and coordinated senior officials
- Collected and collated data and prepared a report benchmarking UKEF’s performance against other export credit agencies, which received positive feedback from senior executives
- Delivered a two-day meeting for the heads of the 12 major international export credit agencies including handling venue, catering, visas, invoicing, briefing, presentations, and travel arrangement.
Department Liaison Officer
VICTORIAN DEPARTMENT OF PREMIER AND CABINET
03.2015 - 08.2015
- Department Liaison Officer when people were away, demonstrating flexibility and the ability to manage competing priorities of different reporting lines
- Facilitated communication and relationships between the Department, Ministers' offices, and the Premier's office
- Assisted the Premier and his officers with administrative functions, including handling correspondence, coordinating briefing requests, coordinating cabinet and parliamentary papers
- Developed and applied internal processes and policies to improve the flow of briefings associated with the Premier’s events.
Policy Adviser
International Engagement Branch
03.2014 - 08.2015
- Analysed Victoria’s International Engagement Strategy, in particular investment attraction and export assistance programs, and developed recommendations for policy change
- Identified emerging international trade and investment trends, and developed policy responses to take advantage of opportunities or address issues
- Supported the Premier, as the head of state, in his diplomatic efforts, international travel, and involvement in trade missions and major international events
- I assisted in the delivery of two international trips by the Premier to China, coordinating logistics and preparing briefings
- Assisted in delivering programs for significant international delegates including the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry, Mustapa Mohamed
- Coordinating logistics and preparing briefings for the Premier and senior executives
- Supported effective working relationships with other branches and relevant Government and non-Government organisations, including consular and diplomatic staff
- Managed and coordinated the budget process for the branch including briefing on international engagement and creative industry budget bids.
Policy Adviser
Economic and State Development Branch
01.2012 - 03.2014
- Provided advice to the Premier on industry, investment, innovation, regional development, gaming and wagering, and supported the Premier in engagements with the business community
- Led on issues relating to the aviation, defence, tourism and gambling sectors
- Prepared cabinet submissions and briefings, and responses to parliamentary questions and correspondence relating to these sectors
- Provided advice and assisted in the development of a strategy to deal with major jobs losses in Victoria's aviation, defence and automotive industries
- On short notice, I was required to source up to date and accurate information and be able to provide advice on the economic and social implications of these job losses on Victoria
- As Secretary of a Cabinet Committee, coordinated meetings and briefings
- Developed and implemented improvements to the briefing processes
- Provided advice to the Premier on investment projects requesting financial assistance.
Graduate
Department of Justice, Native Title Unit
09.2012 - 01.2013
- Developed and prepared a policy discussion paper on improving economic outcomes from native title settlements in Victoria
- Prepared a government submission to the Commonwealth Government on proposed changes to the Native Title Act 1993
- Assisted in negotiations and prepared settlement agreements for the Victorian Government’s and Dja Dja Wurrung land settlement negotiations
- Responded to Freedom of Information requests, demonstrating good judgment in the compilation and treatment of sensitive documents.
Graduate
Department of Planning and Community Development, Environment Assessment Unit
06.2012 - 09.2012
- Assisted in developing a new regulatory framework for Victoria’s Environment Assessment Laws
- Edited and produced documents for a Cabinet submission on reforms to the Victorian Environment Effects Act 1978
- Undertook in-depth analysis of Commonwealth and Victorian environmental legislation, policies and processes to inform Council of Australian Governments (COAG) negotiations.
Education
MBA Essentials Certificate - Business Administration
London School of Economics
London, United Kingdom04.2019
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice - Law
Leo Cussen Centre For Law
Melbourne, VIC07.2011
Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of International Relations -
La Trobe University
Melbourne, VIC01.2010
Student Exchange -
University of Washington, USA
Washington State, USA12.2009
Student Exchange -
Malmö University, Sweden And Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Malmo, Sweden02.2008
Skills
- Influencing skills
- Knowledge management
- Meeting facilitation
- Collaborative mindset
Timeline
Chief of Staff/Strategic Advisor
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TRADE AND INVESTMENT OFFICE LONDON
12.2020 - Current
Investment Director
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TRADE AND INVESTMENT OFFICE LONDON
07.2019 - 12.2020
Trade and Whole of Government Manager
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TRADE AND INVESTMENT OFFICE LONDON
12.2016 - 07.2019
Chief Executive Office
UNITED KINGDOM EXPORT FINANCE (UKEF)
11.2015 - 12.2016
Department Liaison Officer
VICTORIAN DEPARTMENT OF PREMIER AND CABINET
03.2015 - 08.2015
Policy Adviser
International Engagement Branch
03.2014 - 08.2015
Graduate
Department of Justice, Native Title Unit
09.2012 - 01.2013
Graduate
Department of Planning and Community Development, Environment Assessment Unit
06.2012 - 09.2012
Policy Adviser
Economic and State Development Branch
01.2012 - 03.2014
MBA Essentials Certificate - Business Administration
London School of Economics
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice - Law
Leo Cussen Centre For Law
Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of International Relations -
La Trobe University
Student Exchange -
University of Washington, USA
Student Exchange -
Malmö University, Sweden And Utrecht University, The Netherlands
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