Building Cross-Border Business Connections Through Professional Placement
Creating Lasting Australia-Indonesia Connections Through Knowledge Exchange
Overview
Strategic Development Group (Strategic) implemented the Professional Placements Program on behalf of the Australian Government to enable Australian and Southeast Asian businesses to send and receive early- to mid-career professionals for international professional placements. Through this program, Strategic has enabled knowledge exchange and capacity-building opportunities for 58 businesses, fostering enduring business-to-business relationships grounded in strong people-to-people connections.
In September 2025, Kiroyan Partners, an Indonesian public affairs and strategic communications consultancy, hosted Edwina Angove, Senior Consultant at Australian risk advisory firm Ashurst Perkins Coie Risk Advisory, for a four-week professional placement under the Professional Placements Program.
Participating organisations
Two organisations participated in this professional placement.
Australian Business: Ashurst Perkins Coie Risk Advisory
Risk advisory firm, Sydney, Australia
Ashurst Perkins Coie Risk Advisory (Ashurst) provides legal-led consulting to help businesses manage regulatory, compliance, and operational risks. The firm partners with clients to design and implement risk management frameworks, strengthen governance and control environments, and leverage technology to deliver integrated risk and compliance solutions across a range of industries.
The Opportunity: Through the program, Ashurst supported Senior Consultant Edwina Angove to undertake a professional placement with a public affairs and strategic communications consulting firm in Jakarta. The placement provided Edwina with firsthand exposure to Indonesia’s public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications landscape. For Ashurst, the program represented an investment in professional development, an opportunity to deepen its understanding of regional business environments, and a valuable pathway for strengthening relationships and networks across Southeast Asia.
Indonesian Business: Kiroyan Partners
Public affairs and strategic communications consulting firm, Jakarta, Indonesia
Kiroyan Partners is a research-based public affairs and strategic communications consultancy dedicated to helping organisations build strong reputations and navigate complex stakeholder environments. Through ethical, responsible, and evidence-based communications, the firm supports businesses in addressing challenges, strengthening relationships, and achieving sustainable outcomes.
The Opportunity: By hosting Edwina, Kiroyan Partners aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange, gain fresh perspectives on Australian business practices, and strengthen connections with leading organisations in the region. The placement also provided an opportunity to share expertise, foster cross-cultural understanding, and contribute to the development of stronger Australia-Indonesia business relationships.
Placement outcomes
To prepare for her placement, Edwina participated in a three-day cultural orientation program in Jakarta, delivered in partnership with ACICIS. Combining embassy briefings, business visits, networking events, and introductory language and cultural training, the program offered a practical introduction to Indonesia’s dynamic business and economic environment. These experiences deepened her understanding of Australia–Indonesia commercial engagement while enabling her to build relationships with government, industry, and business leaders.
During the four-week placement, Edwina participated in client engagements with Indonesian businesses, government representatives, and industry leaders, expanding her professional network while gaining firsthand experience of Indonesia’s regulatory and business environment.
“Having grown up in Jakarta, it was powerful to reconnect with the city through a new lens. Working within Kiroyan Partners, navigating Indonesia’s regulatory landscape to craft bilingual messaging frameworks, the experience deepened my understanding of Southeast Asian market dynamics, particularly as Australia’s Strategy for Southeast Asia to 2040 highlights the need for sustained, strategic engagement in the region.”
Australian participant Edwina Angove, Senior Consultant, Ashurst Perkins Coie Risk Advisory (left), at the Australian Embassy Jakarta during her professional placement
A key takeaway was the critical role that relationships, trust, and stakeholder engagement play in conducting business in Indonesia.
“One thing I’ve learnt is Indonesians, and especially in Jakarta doing business they really value relationships and trust. So, one thing that I’ve really focused on in my placement is really making sure that I have those relationships with both the people I’m working with, and if we’re dealing with any external clients as well.”
The experience also shaped Edwina’s future career aspirations, strengthening her commitment to pursuing regional engagement opportunities and building long-term connections across ASEAN.
“I think this experience has shaped where I want to take my career in a few different ways… I will look for more opportunities to engage in ASEAN business programs, trade opportunities at work and continue to build my network across Indonesia.”
The placement also delivered value for Kiroyan Partners, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, introducing perspectives from the Australian risk advisory sector, and strengthening the firm's connections with Australian organisations seeking to deepen their engagement in Indonesia.
Edwina Angove (third from right) with fellow participants and ACICIS representatives during her professional placement
Mutual Benefits and Broader Impact from this Placement
For the Indonesian business:
Benefited from knowledge exchange and fresh perspectives from the Australian risk advisory sector.
Strengthened connections with Australian organisations and professional networks.
Enhanced cross-cultural collaboration and shared understanding of Australian business practices.
For the Australian business:
Gained firsthand insights into Indonesia’s public affairs, regulatory, and business environment.
Expanded professional networks through engagement with Indonesian businesses, government representatives, and industry leaders.
Strengthened regional capability and understanding of opportunities across Southeast Asia
Conclusion
The Professional Placements Program enabled Ashurst and Kiroyan Partners to build a meaningful experience centred on knowledge exchange, professional development, and cross-border collaboration.
For Edwina Angove, the placement provided valuable exposure to Indonesia’s public affairs and stakeholder engagement landscape, expanded her professional network, and deepened her understanding of business opportunities across Southeast Asia. For Kiroyan Partners, the exchange brought new perspectives from the Australian advisory sector and strengthened relationships with Australian business networks.
The placement demonstrates the value of international professional exchanges in fostering stronger Australia-Indonesia business connections, building regional capability, and creating foundations for future collaboration between organisations across the region.
Edwina Angove (front row, fourth from right) with fellow participants, DFAT officials, ACICIS, and Strategic representatives during her professional placement
About the Professional Placements program
The Professional Placements Program was an 18-month pilot program funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. The program offered support to Australian and Southeast Asian businesses to send or host temporary professional placements of young professionals between Australia and Southeast Asia. Countries included Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
