Invest and Trade Western Australia teamed up with the British Consulate-General Perth to host the UK Connect Sundowner ahead of the 2025-26 NRMA Insurance Ashes Series.  

Setting the stage for an epic West Test, the Sundowner celebrated the warm friendship ties and longstanding economic partnership between Western Australia (WA) and the United Kingdom (UK), and the unique power of sport to connect Australia with the world. 

Invest and Trade Western Australia was pleased to welcome Neroli Meadows back to Perth to MC the Sundowner. Neroli is an award-winning sports journalist, originally from Collie, Western Australia, and was the first woman to host a Test match on Australian television in 2018.  

The event opened with a memorable Welcome to Country from Robyn Collard and her grandson, Tryse Rioli, who played the didgeridoo.  

Premier Roger Cook provided a welcome address that emphasised the enduring strength of both WA’s longstanding rivalry and trade relationship with the UK.  

A panel session explored the strengths and opportunities between WA and the UK, and how the universal language of cricket can advance bilateral ties. 

Department of Energy and Economic Diversification’s Deputy Director General, Simone Spencer, highlighted how Western Australia is a trusted and reliable partner for the UK and identified energy, defence and technology as sectors offering new opportunities to grow the relationship.  

Simone was joined by Cricket Australia’s CEO, Todd Greenberg, England and Wales Cricket Board’s CEO, Richard Gould, and WA Cricket’s CEO, John Stephenson.  

They each elaborated upon the history of the Ashes rivalry for both regions, and emphasised the value of cricket in advancing Australia’s, particularly WA’s, investment and trade relationship with the UK.  

Todd, Richard and John were given a small gift, kindly provided by Plantagenet Wines, to thank them for their participation.  

The event was closed by Dame Sarah MacIntosh, British High Commissioner to Australia, who reiterated the importance of the WA-UK relationship and how much she was looking forward to the West Test. 

Invest and Trade Western Australia was equally pleased to host Fever-Tree, who partnered with West Winds Distillers, to create a selection of drinks featuring premium mixers from the UK and spirits made from Australia’s unique botanicals, produced right here in WA. 

Guests also enjoyed live music from Boox Kid, a First Nation (Noongar) artist singer-songwriter and producer, and a boundary walk facilitated through Cricket Australia. 

The UK is WA's seventh largest trading partner and largest international visitor market. 

Western Australia has had an investment and trade office in the UK, led by an Agent General, currently Ms Rebecca Tomkinson, for over 125 years. 

The ITWA London Office’s role is to assist Western Australian companies seeking to expand into the UK and European markets, and to assist British and European companies interested in doing business in WA.

To learn more about trade and investment opportunities between WA and UK, connect with our Invest and Trade WA United Kingdom and Europe Hub