John Tyson - Managing Director

John has worked and lived throughout Asia for the past two decades. Having an applied finance and international trade background, he has worked in various commercial positions, for the Japanese Government and with South East Asian government agencies. From 1987, John was a Registered Representative of the Sydney Futures Exchange, working for Peter Wallman and Co Financial Futures, Hong Kong Bank, Merrill Lynch and Bain Refco. In the mid-1990’s, he was employed by the Osaka Prefectural Government as the Australian Trade and Cultural Coordinator, facilitating trade and political interests.

Over the past decade, he has contracted to numerous corporations representing and advising clients on sales and marketing, and investment opportunities throughout China, Japan, Indonesia and Australia. His assignments have included:

• Building Materials – pre-fabricated kit homes, paints, carpets, coatings, paving, tiles, lighting & interior design products and more
• Investment - Public Property Fund and investment opportunities throughout Asia and Australia
• IT – software
• Media – Japanese Media relations (Ministry of Tourism & Culture / PACTO Indonesia).
• Resources – petroleum fuels, coal, salt, metals
• Agriculture – agricultural chemicals, grains & beans, oils, cocoa
• Food and beverage - health food supplements, dietary foods, soft drinks,  wine

Geoff Short - Director

Geoff Short holds degrees in Law and Economics from the Australian National University and a Master of Laws from the University of Technology, Sydney.

In 1996, Geoff established a highly successful specialist international trade consultancy and he retains a strong involvement it today. That company acts for major multinationals and SMEs, advising on market access issues and resolving problems that arise in their supply chains. His experience ranges across many industry sectors including building and construction, industrials, commodities, manufactured consumer goods, agriculture, and food and beverages. His business focus throughout this period has been on Asia and he has built invaluable business and government networks by living and working in the region.

His former career featured positions in both government and the private sector, including Director of the Legal Branch of the Australian Customs Service; Senior Consultant in indirect tax with global accounting firm Touche Ross (now Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu); and Partner with international law firm, Baker & McKenzie. This experience has enabled him to develop a comprehensive knowledge of international trade regulation along with expert government relations skills.

Geoff is Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Canberra; a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors; a member of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association; a Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce and a member of its Trade and Government Committee; he is also a member of the Australia-China Business Council, the Australia-India Business Council and Australia-Vietnam Business Council.