The Capital Advantage: Accessing the UK and Navigating the London Markets
Presented by the London Stock Exchange, Bird & Bird, and the British Consulate-General Perth
Join the British Consulate General in Perth for a focused breakfast panel exploring how legal, capital, and government pathways can unlock growth in the UK for Western Australian companies and investors.
Date and time: Wednesday 3 September, 8.00am – 9.30am
Venue: Perth Library, 573 Hay Street, Perth WA
Format: 30 minute presentation, followed by Q&A and networking
Refreshments: Light breakfast and coffee provided
Speakers:
- Michael Dawes – Partner, Bird & Bird: Legal insights including cross-border strategy to access or raise money in the UK, and other regulatory considerations.
- Thom Abbott – Head of SE Asia & Australasia, London Stock Exchange Group: Capital raising and pathways for early to late-stage companies, plus investor appetite.
- Finty Clowry Steele – Investment Manager, British Consulate-General Perth: UK Government support mechanisms, inward investment opportunities, and alignment with the UK’s New Industrial Strategy.
Background:
London continues to evolve as a premier global financial centre. Recent reforms to the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market have simplified the listing process, introduced a single category for commercial companies and a dedicated category for dual-listed companies, and made it easier for founder-led and technology-driven businesses to access capital. These changes support dual-class share structures and streamline disclosure requirements – making London an increasingly attractive destination for international growth.
Questions: jeehyun.ahn@fcdo.gov.uk
Who should attend:
Companies in
- resources,
- technology,
- life sciences and
- critical minerals – as well as any organisation looking to access opportunities in the UK.
1-1 follow-up meetings with the panellists can be organised upon request.
About the speakers:
Michael Dawes is a partner in the London office of Bird & Bird, an international law firm. Michael is a senior corporate finance lawyer, with over 25 years’ experience of advising on equity capital markets and public and private M&A transactions, predominantly in the natural resources and technology sectors. He acts on transactions globally, and having previously worked in Sydney he has a particular interest in helping Australian companies to access the UK – whether it be an ASX-listed mining company looking to dual list here, or a smaller fintech company looking to expand into the UK and Europe. Bird & Bird has 33 offices worldwide, including the major cities of Europe, as well as Sydney.
Thom Abbott is Head of SE Asia and Australasia, Primary Markets for the London Stock Exchange. Thom is responsible for supporting companies and their investors understand the process of going public and life as a listed company on London’s markets. Thom joined the exchange in 2017 to support the international development of an initiative for private companies looking to ready themselves for IPO. Prior to LSE, Thom worked at Chinese investment bank CITIC in Beijing and led the expansion of Foresight Science and Technology in Asia, performing valuation work and managing technology licensing deals globally. Thom studied International Relations and Finance at the University of Leeds, and was a Taiwan Ministry of Education Scholarship recipient, studying at National Sun Yat Sen University.
Finty Clowry Steele is an Investment Manager at the British Consulate-General in Perth. She supports innovative Australian companies to access the UK’s capital markets, scale internationally, and connect with venture capital, strategic partners, and government-backed support. Through DBT’s global network, she helps businesses navigate the UK’s financial ecosystem, identify growth opportunities, and accelerate market entry. Previously, Finty worked in Mergers & Acquisitions and Leveraged Finance, advising private equity sponsors and corporates in life sciences, industrials, mining, and technology on strategic transactions. She holds an undergraduate degree from University College London and a Master’s in International Business and Finance.
