Leadership & Transformation
Expanding Internationally
In Action
Strategic planning
Established an overseas operation aligned with long-term growth objectives and group structure.
Stakeholder engagement
Worked across time zones with UK leadership and local authorities to align expectations and ensure compliance.
Operational delivery
Set up infrastructure, systems, and workflows to support a fully functioning entity from day one.
Cross-cultural leadership
Recruited and onboarded a new local team while navigating cultural and communication differences.
Legal and regulatory navigation
Managed entity registration, tax compliance, and local governance requirements in a complex jurisdiction.
Risk management
Identified and mitigated logistical, legal, and integration risks across multiple operational streams.
Building a Fully-Functioning Operation in the UAE
Challenge
As part of a wider growth strategy, I was brought in to establish an overseas presence in the UAE — from scratch. The business needed a local entity, operational infrastructure, and a team on the ground to support commercial goals in the region. But this wasn’t a plug-and-play exercise: the cultural nuances, regulatory environment, time difference, and talent landscape posed significant challenges.
Approach
I led the end-to-end setup of the UAE operation — incorporating the legal entity, finding and securing office space, and navigating the complexities of local business registration and compliance. I recruited a new team locally, designed onboarding and training frameworks, and ensured everyone was operationally aligned with UK-based management.
It wasn’t just about process; it was about people. Working across cultures and time zones meant adapting communication styles and expectations. I spent time building relationships with local authorities, sourcing the right professional advisors, and translating our UK-based systems and workflows to a new market context — all while ensuring tax compliance and governance standards were met.
Impact
- Successfully launched a compliant, fully operational UAE entity within budget and timeframe.
- Recruited and embedded a capable local team aligned to company values and processes.
- Overcame structural, cultural, and technical challenges to create a launchpad for further international growth.
- Built a robust bridge between UK leadership and the new territory — ensuring performance and expectations were connected across borders.
