Chris Rees | Senior Consultant – International Trade Specialist

Chris brings four decades of international business experience to the Shinka Management team, including over 19 years working across Asia. With a background in international trade, investment attraction, public sector transformation, and strategic partnerships, Chris specialises in helping companies navigate the complexities of international markets – particularly in Japan.

Chris began his career with the Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co (Aust) Ltd, where he worked as a trader in chemicals and petroleum. He then relocated to Japan to recruit Japanese professionals into global firms, building close relationships with Japanese executives across several industries. Upon returning to Australia, he managed the import, export, and domestic production of food packaging products.

In 1992, Chris joined the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), where he served in leadership roles across Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. As Australia’s first Consul and Trade Commissioner in Fukuoka, he helped open new market opportunities for Australian exporters in southern Japan. He later returned to Japan as Consul General and Senior Trade Commissioner in Osaka, leading national sector teams and playing a key role in the response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake.

In Singapore, Chris managed a team of trade, education, and investment specialists supporting Australian business engagement across ASEAN, while also coordinating regional investment and education strategies. In Australia, his leadership roles included heading Austrade’s partnerships program, service excellence team, and Indigenous international business strategy.

Chris brings to Shinka Management deep insight into cross-cultural business practices, strong networks across Asia, and extensive experience supporting companies to succeed in overseas markets.

Expertise

Japan market entry strategy and cross-cultural business development
International trade facilitation and investment attraction across Asia
Executive-level engagement with government and industry in Japan and ASEAN
Strategic partnerships, stakeholder management and public sector reform
Supporting Indigenous and regional businesses to expand internationally

Experience

Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)

Chris held multiple senior roles with Austrade through the period 1992 through 2021:

Consul and Trade Commissioner – Fukuoka, Japan
Opened and led Australia’s first trade office in Kyushu, supporting exporters and promoting bilateral trade.
Senior Trade Commissioner – Hong Kong
Directed Austrade’s trade facilitation across Hong Kong and Macau, and served on the AustCham board.
State Manager – South Australia and Northern Territory
Led regional support for exporters and investment attraction efforts, including working closely with Japan- and China-focused business councils.
Consul General and Senior Trade Commissioner – Osaka, Japan
Directed national sector teams in consumer goods and education, while building international trade partnerships in western Japan.
Senior Trade Commissioner – Singapore
Oversaw Austrade operations across ASEAN, supporting Australian firms across key sectors including aerospace, healthcare, and food and beverage.
Head of Partnerships / Head of Client Development Services
Led strategic partnerships and designed services to enhance export performance and investment outcomes for Australian firms globally.