Britain in Business Summer 2011

BRITAIN

in business BRITISH BUSINESS GROUP DUBAI & NORTHERN EMIRATES MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2011

BUSINESS ON A HIGH

Deals and developments paving the way forward WORLD’S BEST BUSINESS CLUB

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, PO Box: 60616 Tel : + (971) 4 333 1145 Fax: + (971) 4 333 0697 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, PO Box: 114547 Tel : + (971) 2 679 7714 Fax: + (971) 2 679 7715 Amman, Jordan, PO Box: 18049 Tel : + (962) 79 823 2709

in business Summer 2011

11

IN THE HOT SEAT BBG’s new chairman and AGM snapshot

28 PULLING POWER Dubai rises as the region’s economic hub

32

UNITED WE STAND HH Sheikha Lubna talks bilateral relations

35

OPEN FOR BUSINESS Lord Jones on strengthening UK’s economy

WIND IN HIS SAILS

38

Dubai Cumulative Shopping Mall Supply

IS LONDON STILL CALLING?

40

Dubai’s retail revolution forges ahead

SETTING THE BAR HIGH Cynthia Trench’s journey as an expatriate lawyer

46

m2 GLA

Greg Barker’s stance on the green agenda

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BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 5

CONTENTS

BRITAIN

TRAINING DAY

in business

48

BRITISH BUSINESS GROUP DUBAI & NORTHERN EMIRATES MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2011

Evaluating management training programmes

CRACK DOWN

50

BUSINESS ON A HIGH

The continuing debate on anti-piracy laws

Deals and developments paving the way forward WORLD’S BEST BUSINESS CLUB

BRITISH FASHION

52

British Ambassador Dominic Jermey OBE mid-skydive with members of the Red Devils.

Say it all with a single accessory

54

Editor-in-Chief

STRIVING FOR GOLD Chris Foy prepares for the London Olympics

58

THE INN CROWD Developments in the city’s hotel sector

62

SEEING LIFE THROUGH LANGUAGE Lesley McLoughlin’s fascination for Arabic endures

LUXURY LANDING Okku’s presence spreads far and wide

81

Regulars

9 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE 15 MEMBERS’ NEWS Round-up of recent member happenings

61 BOOK REVIEW Recommended reading for the months ahead

64 BBG EVENTS Round-up of recent member functions

71 NEW MEMBERS’ DIRECTORY

Who’s new to the BBG

80 BBG NEWS AND OFFERS Digital developments and members’ promotions

82 CHANGING LIVES Gulf For Good – ten years of challenges for charity 6 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

The contents and opinions in this issue do not necessarily reflect the views of the BBG, nor should they be taken as an endorsement by the BBG of any specific product or service. All currency conversions correct at press time.

CONTENTS

BRITAIN

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Group Editor and Managing Partner Ian Fairservice Group Senior Editor Gina Johnson Group Editor Catherine Belbin | catherine@motivate.ae Contributing Editors Dominic Ellis | btme@motivate.ae Ingrid Valles Pó | ingrid@motivate.ae Features Writer Samia Qaiyum | samia@motivate.ae Chief Sub Editor Iain Smith | iains@motivate.ae Art Director Tarak Parekh | tarak@motivate.ae Senior Designer B Raveendran | raveendran@motivate.ae General Manager Production and Circulation S Sasidharan | sasidharan@motivate.ae Senior Production Manager S Sunil Kumar | sunil@motivate.ae Production Manager Sudhakar Chandran | sudhakar@motivate.ae General Manager Group Sales Anthony Milne | anthony@motivate.ae Senior Advertisement Manager Rowena Miranda | rowena@motivate.ae Advertisement Managers Debashish Shome | debashish@motivate.ae Abhinay Bhartiya | abhinay@motivate.ae

PO Box 2331 | Dubai | United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 4 282 4060 | Fax: +971 4 282 4436 motivate@motivate.ae | motivatepublishing.com Printed by IPP Dubai

FOREWORD

BBG COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN & CEO Jonathon Davidson chairman@britbiz-uae.com DEPUTY CHAIRMAN & COO David Burns coo@britbiz-uae.com DIRECTOR LEGAL & SECRETARIAT Fayez Khouri legal@britbiz-uae.com DIRECTOR FINANCE Graham Martins finance@britbiz-uae.com DIRECTOR MEMBERSHIP Ben Goodman ben@it-serve.com DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS Melanie Faithfull Kent melanie.faithfull@hillandknowlton.com DIRECTOR EVENTS Farah Rehman events@britbiz-uae.com DIRECTOR FOCUS Joe Capaldi joe@thedynamiczone.com DIRECTOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Andrew Pitt businessdevelopment@britbiz-uae.com DIRECTOR UAE ALLIANCES Lubna Qassim uaealliances@britbiz-uae.com DIRECTOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Adel Al Awadhi adel.alawadhi@serco.ae EMBASSY REPRESENTATIVE Jeff Wilson jeffj.wilson@fco.gov.uk

FOCUS GROUP CHAIRS BANKING & FINANCE Andrew Pitt andrew.pitt@lloydstsb.ae CONSTRUCTION John Alford john@jasaf.com HR & EDUCATION Andrew McNeilis & Clair Hattle andrew.mcneilis@talent2.com clair@ihdubai.com ENERGY Terry Willis terry.Willis@the-eic.com ENTREPRENEURS John Martin St. Valery john@linksdubai.com FACILITIES MANAGEMENT & REAL ESTATE Sean Heckford sean.heckford@echarris.com GOLF Richard Musty richard.musty@lloydstsb.ae IT Damion Lock damion@unlimited-it.ae LEGAL Angela Calnam angela.calnan@lg-legal.com TRAVEL, TOURISM & LEISURE Carol Maddison carol.maddison@visitbritain.org Focus Connoisseur Andrew Day andrewd@mmi.ae Focus Financial Advisor Sarah Lord sarah.lord@killik.com

T’S WITH A FEELING OF GREAT PRIVILEGE THAT I DELIVER THIS, MY FIRST CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE. Needless to say, as a first point of order I would like to sincerely thank and congratulate the outgoing Chairman, Mark Beer, for his incredible role in the growth and success of the Group over the past four years.

During Mark’s tenure, the Group’s membership has grown to unprecedented levels and we have built a brand new Executive Office, continued to forge invaluable relationships with key business figures in the British and Emirati communities and, last but not least, been crowned the World’s Best Business Group.

As a second, and equally important, point of order I would like to welcome our committee for 2011/2012. There is no doubt that the past two years, have been challenging. A time during which the various business communities in Dubai have undertaken a lot of adjustment and soul searching. It is, however, equally evident that in most sectors of the economy, Q4 2010 onwards has seen an increasing number of businesses consolidate, which means we can begin to look forward to a more certain economic environment.

It is, therefore, an opportune and exciting time for the Group to be entering its Jubilee Year. For the past quarter of a century the BBG has endeavoured to provide an effective platform to further the interests of British business in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Plans are already underway to provide the best value to our membership yet. Themed around our Jubilee Year, work has already started on a varied and innovative events schedule with special gala events, offers and opportunities for our members.

It is also vital to listen carefully to what our members have to say.

Your feedback is crucial to how we, the committee, hope to shape the group for the Themed around our Jubilee Year, work has year to come. To started on a varied and innovative events this end, we will be circulating schedule with special gala events, offers forms to all of our members to and members oppurtunities. complete and would ask that you complete them to the fullest! What do you think of our events and our speakers? What initiatives do you think the group should undertake to improve? What additional, different events, speakers and initiatives would you like us to organise? Your full and frank views are most appreciated!

Once again, I thank the members for this opportunity to be part of the ongoing success of the Group. May we all experience a positive year ahead and I hope to see you at a Group event in the very near future.

JONATHON DAVIDSON Chairman British Business Group, Dubai & Northern Emirates

British Business Group, PO Box 9333, Dubai, UAE. Tel: +971 4 3970303. Fax: +971 4 3970939 bbgdubai@britbiz-uae.com www.britbiz-uae.com

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 9

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MANOEUVRE

N THE HOT SEAT

Naveed Ahmed

New BBG chairman Jonathon Davidson outlines his strategy for providing more value to members and establishing international links with other factions.

Rob Morris reports.

Y HIS OWN ADMISSION ADMISSION, Jonathon Davidson has some rather big shoes to fill as chairman of the British Business Group (BBG).

Having worked closely with his predecessor, Mark Beer, in recent years, deputy chairman Davidson was considered a natural fit for the recently vacated hot seat. So his appointment, following a unanimous vote at the organisation’s AGM in May, was hardly a surprise.

But securing the top seat was the easy part, with Davidson aware of the hard work required to build on the solid foundations laid by Beer. “Mark has done a fantastic job and I am taking over a successful organisation that will continue providing as much value and opportunities to our members as possible,” says Davidson, who is also managing partner of law firm Davidson & Co. “Anyone following his example has to be comfortable in taking the organisation forward, and I am confident in my ability to do that.”

With barely any time to get his feet under the table, Davidson is already putting his strategy into action. Speaking with the organisation’s 1,600 members and getting feedback through surveys and regular discussions on the services BBG provides is his first objective. “I want the members to tell us in no uncertain terms what they want to see in 2011 and 2012,” Davidson says.

“Members pay an annual fee and extra money to come to events, so we have to give them the right speakers and events. We want to know what kind of events they want, when and where they want them, who they want to see at them and who they would like to network with.”

Davidson and his team also plan to arrange various business seminars and events with VIP speakers in attendance, golfing days for members to network while on the fairways and award ceremonies specifically for small-to-medium-sized ventures.

Elsewhere, preparations are being made for the BBG’s Jubilee Ball to celebrate the organisation’s 25th year.

While carrying out these general tasks, Davidson will also have his hands full trying to engage members that until recently had little time for BBG matters. The new chairman attributes this to the financial crisis, insisting the BBG took a backseat as members focused on keeping their respective businesses afloat.

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 11

12 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

AGM MEETING 2011 The British Business Group Dubai & Northern Emirates held its Annual General Meeting last month at the Madinat Arena, during which HE Easa Saleh Al Gurg CBE, former UAE Ambassador to the UK, addressed nearly 200 members. Jonathon Davidson, former deputy chairman and chief operating officer for the group, was introduced as BBG’s new chairman. As part of his acceptance speech, Davidson paid tribute to outgoing chairman Mark Beer for his leadership and dedication to the group.

Mark Beer, HH Hamad Buamim and Jonathon Davidson

Ian Fairservice, Jan Fairservice and Simon O’Herlihy

Denis Glibic, Paolo De Renzis and John Watson

Naveed Ahmed

MANOEUVRE

But with Dubai showing signs of recovery and emerging from the economic doldrums, Davidson believes attention will once again turn to the BBG. “It [the downturn] affected the membership’s ability to engage with the BBG in terms of coming to events and getting involved in the different initiatives we have,” he says.

“People were focused on their business; they were quite inward looking for a couple of years with businesses remodeled and redundancies carried out. Everyone has been sensitive to the economic environment and how it affects them and their workplace, so the membership engaged less with the BBG because they were dealing with the immediacy of the economic crisis. But once that blows over and you get into a period of growth, people start looking outward and part of that is engaging with the BBG again and making use of the opportunities we provide.”

It remains to be seen whether members will take a more active role now that the economy is picking up. In any case, Davidson believes it is imperative for the organisation to support BBG associates during good times and bad.

“Supporting the membership coming out of a difficult economic period is a big challenge,” he admits. “Businesses are now drawing a line in the sand and starting to look forward with a positive outlook and the market, especially the British business community, is responding to the recovery.

“Now is the time for us to re-emphasise our role as a key member of the UAE economy from an SME level and individual entrepreneurs right up to international private players. This is the time for the British community to reassert itself and be part of the next growth cycle of Dubai.”

In the long-term, Davidson is keen to establish links with other BBGs in the Gulf and beyond to share best practice and create business opportunities for members. Talks between Davidson’s people and a Swiss-based coordinator to bring together global BBG factions have already taken place.

Further discussions are planned, with Davidson hoping to foster strong, open relations with other groups in Asia, North and South America and Europe. “If we can do that, then the BBG in Dubai will becomes part of an information network involving similar business groups that have regular dialogue,” he says.

“Any of our members looking to spend time in Asia could come to us and find out who they’d need to speak with in Singapore and Hong Kong, for example. We want to globalise the BBG’s offering and create global networks for our members to correspond with other groups around the world.”

Stephane Guerrouche, Ameet Devani and Christopher Williams

Sultan Rehman, Mark Beer, HE Easa Al Gurg CBE, HM Consul General Guy Warrington and Brian Wilkie MBE

David Burns, Mago J B Singh and Kapila Karunaratne

Matthew Lewis, James Spickernell, Stephen Maclaren and Christopher Coleridge Cole

David Balfour, Dave Crane and Gurnos Stonuary

Matther Turner, Miad Khezri, Adam Hilder and Wasam Norallah

Martin Hedley and Nick Dutt

Fiona Duvivier, Karen Warrington, Neil Isaacson and Alexi Yrenouth

Luke Thomas and Daniel Lopez

Jeff Wilson, Andrew Pitt and Dave Wells

David King, Nick White and Brian Williams BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 13

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NEWS

BRITISH AMBASSADOR SKYDIVES FOR CHARITY

Dominic Jermey OBE, the British Ambassador to the UAE, made headlines last month when he leapt out an airplane from nearly 4,000 metres up in the air… all for a charitable cause naturally. He joined the Red Devils – the official parachute display team of the British Army – participating in a skydive over the coastline of Dubai. It was the first jump for the Ambassador, who does not have a military background.

Joined by five staff members from the British Embassies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Jeremy took part in the

fund-raising initiative with the aim of raising the profile of the Red Devils – who were training in the UAE for the first time – as well as those of several charities.

The group experienced freefall at terminal velocity of about 195 kilometres an hour for 45 seconds before pulling the chute at 1,700 metres and landing after four and a half minutes.

The parachute tandem jump helped raise approximately Dh20,000 for three

ALISTAIR BURT ADDRESSES THE MATTER Alistair Burt MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Middle East and South Asia at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office UK, spoke candidly to BBG members about the UK government’s policies on countries involved in the so-called Arab Uprising. The recent dialogue highlighted the UAE’s role and importance in contributing to regional stability.

charities: Help for Heroes, a British military charity; Sailability, Dubai’s Offshore Sailing Club’s charity; and St Luke’s Hospice in the UK. “What a rush!” Jermey exclaimed when he landed. “I’m feeling on top of the world. It was a great experience.”

Colour Sergeant Jay Webster, the leader of the Red Devils, observed: “Jermey controlled the chute quite well for most of the jump.” His team was in Dubai for its annual two-week training camp.

“We perform 700 tandem jumps a year with the public for charity, and 80 to 100 display jumps to help promote the British Army and recruitment for the Ministry of Defence,” he explained. According to Sergeant Webster, the Red Devils raise more than £500,000 (Dhs2.9 million) annually for the charities they support.

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 15

NEWS

TV SPOT FOR ARCTIC ADVENTURER British adventurer Adrian Hayes’ recordbreaking Greenland Quest expedition is currently featuring on the National Geographic Channel in the Middle East.

Hayes, a BBG member, embarked on a vertical crossing of the Greenland ice cap – a 4,260km journey that took 67 days and won him a place in

the Guiness Book of Records for the longest unsupported, kite-assisted adventure in Arctic history.

The Nomad Media-produced documentary is currently being shown on Emirates Airline inflight TV and also features Hayes’ Canadian teammates Devon McDiarmid and Derek Crowe.

TOP CARGO AWARD FOR GLOBALINK Globalink Dubai is celebrating after being named the Middle East’s best freight forwarder.

The company was voted the Best Partner in the Middle East Region by fellow members of the World Cargo Alliance, a global network of independent international freight forwarders.

“The winner is elected by independent voting, and that makes this award an unbiased appraisal for Globalink,” a company spokesperson said.

“Providing a complete set of logistics solutions, which include freight forwarding and project logistics services, Globalink Dubai has truly established its credentials as one of the leading freight forwarders in the Middle East and the CIS.”

Contract wins for Dubai interiors firm It was recently announced that Highgate Interiors has secured two big fit out contracts with organisations in Dubai.

The company will develop The Boutique Health Club’s interior in partnership with designer Godwin Austen Johnson and consultant U Concept, a fitness programme developer.

The Boutique Health Club at Dubai International Financial Centre is a 557 square metre fitness space with a reception, lounge, consultation room and cardio area.

16 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

An industrial finish will be applied, with exposed concrete soffit and structural columns preserved and sealed. A fit out contract for the third phase of refurbishment at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry offices has also been secured. The 18-storey building on Dubai Creek is being renovated to make it environmentally sustainable and LEED-certified, with Highgate fitting out each floor over a three-year period.

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E middleeast@icaew.com

icaew.com/middleeast

NEWS

DMCC-licenced companies hits 3,000 The number of companies registered with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCC) has reached 3,000. DMCC, which operates several commodity-focused subsidiaries, announced the milestone after revealing it had granted licences to more than 400 companies (more than 100 each month) to work at free zone Jumeirah Lake Towers between January and April this year.

The number of companies registered in that time is up 65 per cent compared to the same period in 2010.

According to the DMCC, some 93 per cent of the regional and international companies registered from January to April were from outside the emirate. Of that number, Europe accounted for 25 per cent of new company registrations,

while 20 per cent and 17.5 per cent came from MENA and India and Asia respectively. The rest came from all over the world.

“This is a milestone moment for DMCC as we welcome our 3,000th company to the JLT free zone. We are registering record monthly numbers, which clearly highlights the attraction of Dubai and JLT,” said Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman for the DMCC. “As well as driving company registrations, our focus for 2011 remains on introducing improved and new services together with the continued improvement of the JLT development.”

Malcolm Wall Morris, DMCC’s chief executive officer, added JLT was the UAE’s fastest growing free zone. “The

vast majority of company registrations are new to the region, with particular interest coming from Europe and India,” he said. “DMCC is committed to adding value to the UAE economy and remains focused on attracting companies from outside the UAE in our chosen geographies and business sectors.”

So far this year, five more towers have been added to the JLT development, increasing the total to eight. Another eight featuring residential and office space and hotel rooms are expected to come on line by December. The JLT development has 15,000 residents and 8,000 people working in the free zone. Facilities include cafés, restaurants, retail outlets, fitness centres, beauty salons, spas, pharmacies and dance studios.

MERCEDES-BENZ REPORTS STRONG Q1 SALES Luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has reported a 26 per cent rise in sales for the Middle East during this year’s opening quarter compared to the same period last year.

The German company revealed strong demand for its flagship luxury saloon S-Class had contributed to the increase, with sales up 13 per cent between January and March this year. Mercedes-Benz SUVs also contributed to the strong regional sales figures, with the ML Grand Edition and GL Grand Edition proving popular.

An ISP package allowing customers free car services for five years or before they reach 105,000km also helped the company, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2011.

“The outstanding first quarter sales we have witnessed 18 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

reaffirm our position as the leading premium car brand in the GCC and Levant,” said Frank Bernthaler, director of sales and marketing for Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East & Levant.

Bernthaler added the company would unveil “a glorious batch of new vehicles” in the region this year to celebrate its anniversary and rising sales. Among them are the four-door couple CLS and third generation SLK. So far this year, Mercedes-Benz has launched the new 350 CGI and 500 CGI engine S-Class, and the updated C-Class.

NEWS

××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× BRAND ××××××××××××××××××× AGENCY ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× LAUNCHES ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× NEW WEBSITE ××××××××××××××××××× Brand communications agency ××××××××××××××××××× Creative Concepts hopes to secure ××××××××××××××××××× more clients after re-launching its ××××××××××××××××××× website. The rebranded portal will be ××××××××××××××××××× used during pitches with potential ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× new clients as the agency looks to ××××××××××××××××××× take on more accounts. ××××××××××××××××××× “We are excited with the re-launch ××××××××××××××××××× of our website; the new look is very ××××××××××××××××××× contemporary and is the beginning ××××××××××××××××××× of a new era of innovation,” ××××××××××××××××××× said Creative Concept’s business ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× development manager, Dale Ashwel. ××××××××××××××××××× “The new website allows for greater ××××××××××××××××××× access for our clients and potential ××××××××××××××××××× clients to view all of our products ××××××××××××××××××× and services, and browse through ××××××××××××××××××× our rich portfolio. With several new ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× client wins and turnkey projects ××××××××××××××××××× on the go, life is looking good at ××××××××××××××××××× Creative Concepts.” ××××××××××××××××××× The company provides event ××××××××××××××××××× management, retail activation, ××××××××××××××××××× exhibition design and build services ××××××××××××××××××× from offices located in Dubai and ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× Saudi Arabia. ××××××××××××××××××× ×××××××××××××××××××

Indigo Living opens Dubai flagship store Hong Kong’s interior design brand Indigo Living has opened its flagship store in Dubai to capitalise on growing demand in the Gulf.

Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, the new 696 square metre store offers bedding, textiles, furniture, seasonal home accents and interior design accessories.

“We are really delighted to finally unveil our signature Indigo Living store in the Middle East. The brand has enjoyed a leading position in Dubai for the last five years and Hong Kong for over 30 years, and we look forward to emulating that success with the Dubai-based flagship store across the wider region,” said Joe Hepworth, general manager, Indigo Living Middle East.

The store presents furniture and accessories in themed settings with 20 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

eco-friendly textures and finishes made from bamboo, walnut and oak.

This summer, Indigo’s flagship store in Dubai offers the new Sunset Blush collection featuring dusky plum, bone, leather, linen and earthy brown tones. The store also showcases furniture from the Indigo Living range including Bay City, Soho, Oak Shadow and Sentosa.

The Indigo Kids range is available at children’s retailer Just Kidding, which opened an outlet next door to Indigo Living in May. Indigo Kids offers a range of upscale children’s furnishings, including beds, tables, desks, shelves, storage units and accessories.

Indigo Living, which established its Dubai presence in 2006, has a store at JBR and sells its collections at Home Design in the Mall of the Emirates.

MOORE JOINS CILT BOARD Nigel Moore has been elected to the UAE Board of Directors of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT).

Logistics Recruitment Middle East’s managing director is a Fellow of the Institute and follows in the footsteps of Sir Maurice Flanagan, who was instrumental in setting up CILT in 2002.

The institute aims to promote training and professional excellence and facilitate interaction and learning in the UAE logistics and transport sector.

Since moving to Dubai in 1984, Moore has pursued a career in the transport and logistics industry.

LBF shifts MENA office to Dubai Events organiser The London Business Forum (LBF) hopes to attract more corporate professionals to its Middle East seminars this year after establishing Dubai as its second hub.

The British organisation has shifted its MENA regional operation from Cairo to Dubai to tap into an expected increase in demand from companies operating in the emirate.

“We are putting investments in markets across the MENA region via Dubai because we believe that the region will see a higher demand for our bouquet of services,” said Hany Mwafy, CEO London Business Forum, MENA region.

“London Business Forum offers insightful events covering a range of business topics presented by internationally-renowned speakers.

Our events are packed with innovative ideas that could be implemented in any organisation.”

Mwafy added: “We are bringing global thought leaders to the Middle East via Dubai, a city that serves as an ideal platform in the MENA region. Our strength lies in delivering contemporary learning for 21st century professionals.

“Our forums are cost-effective because we have a commitment to making such programmes affordable by not getting obsessed with five-star venues. We realise that the high costs of such venues will be finally passed on to our participants.”

Some 25 LBF events are scheduled to take place between May and December this year for businesspeople from small to medium-sized companies and large enterprises. The forums will bring together experts to discuss various topics such as futurology, corporate change and culture, leadership and customer relations.

Despite relocating its regional headquarters to Dubai, LBF will

continue operating its Cairo office, which opened in October 2010.

The LBF has held hundreds of events since its inception in 2002, featuring leading business experts and gurus. Former presenters include Sir Richard Branson, Lord Alan Sugar and Jack Welch.

Hany Mwafy, CEO London Business Forum, MENA region

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 21

NEWS

Dubai students visit Manchester institute Undergraduates from the British University in Dubai (BUiD) recently visited the University of Manchester in the UK as part of a student exchange programme.

Six UAE nationals and two expatriates

enrolled in BUiD’s project management class and spent the first week of May in Manchester, attending lectures and workshops and meeting students and lecturers.

The exchange programme between the universities was set up to enable students from both institutes to gain an insight into national education programmes.

UK,” the spokesperson said.

In particular, investors in the Middle East are attracted to the UK’s property sector, and the country’s leisure, entertainment and education facilities.

Citing a recent report, Hamptons said that Middle Eastern visitors accounted for one of the highest annual spends in London – up 20 per cent during the past five years. Arrivals from the UAE and Saudi Arabia are the biggest spenders,

followed by Kuwaitis and Qataris.

Hamptons said it would continue helping potential buyers in Europe find Middle Eastern properties and vice versa.

“Foreseeing strong growth potential between the UK and the Arab world in property services, Hamptons MENA will continue to be at the forefront of offering a truly differential business experience for its clients – be they from the Middle East or the UK,” the spokesperson said.

UK BUYERS ON MID-EAST PROPERTY HUNT More UK and European entrepreneurs are exploring business opportunities in the UAE despite political unrest across the Middle East, according to Hamptons.

The Dubai-based property company said businesspeople were eyeing the UAE as a hub to launch ventures within the Middle East and North Africa.

“Entrepreneurs in the UK and Europe are increasingly exploring opportunities for new business enterprises especially with the UAE as the hub. The massive investments in housing and infrastructure announced in Saudi Arabia and upcoming projects in Qatar all point to the region’s potential in driving longterm business ventures,” a Hamptons spokesperson said.

Conversely, Middle Eastern investors are eyeing growth opportunities in the UK, Hamptons added. “This interest is only logical given the long-term historical partnerships between the region and the 22 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

Non-exec recruiter aiming to boost corporate governance Corporate transparency and governance among UAE companies could improve following the launch of a non-executive director recruitment service for local businesses.

NxD-global was recently launched to identify, screen and recommend top advisers to companies that need objective non-executive directors at boardroom level.

A company statement said NxDglobal would help “strengthen the accountability and transparency of regional corporations by bringing independence to their boards”.

Non-executive directors are hired from outside to provide objective advice and strategic support at boardroom level.

They are responsible for helping protect shareholder and stakeholder value and assisting with the financial and operational aspects of a business.

Management teams also hire independent non-executive directors to assess risk and discuss the company’s ongoing strategy.

“NxD-global believes that the pursuit of independence is key to improving corporate governance in GCC markets,” a company statement said.

“A recent study by US law firm Eversheds showed a strong correlation between share price performance and the number of independent directors on company boards. Appointment of independent directors has been shown to elevate a business to the highest tier and can deliver considerable competitive advantage.”

John Martin St.Valery, partner and co-founder of NxD-global, added the economic downturn highlighted the need to bring in non-executive directors.

“Our decision to establish NxDglobal was triggered, in part, by the global financial crisis which exposed the solvency and creditworthiness of several institutions and companies,” he said.

The company expects high demand from publicly-listed companies in the UAE, which are required by the Securities & Commodities Authority to fill onethird of boardroom positions with independent executives.

It also believes small to medium-sized organisations and large enterprises across all business sectors will show interest.

“Better corporate governance means more transparency, accountability and independence in the boardroom which strengthens the real and perceived value of companies irrespective of their size,” St.Valery said.

“By facilitating the structuring of a corporation’s board with non-executive directors, we can help to enhance the overall competitiveness of businesses in the region, which makes those countries more attractive to foreign investors.”

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 23

NEWS

DUBAI COMMODITY TRADING ENJOYS RECORD YEAR The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is expecting strong trade through Dubai after overseeing a record level of deals in 2010.

Throughout last year, the DMCC’s commodity subsidiaries were involved in hundreds of gold, diamond, pearl, tea and cotton trades. Diamonds performed particularly well, with approximately 2.7 million

worth $35.1 billion traded in 2010 – a 50 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

According to the Federal Customs Authority, diamonds were the second most valuable commodity imported in Dubai.

Gold was the most valuable commodity traded last year, worth $41.3 billion with most of Dubai’s deals carried out with India. Switzerland was the second biggest partner to deal with Dubai, highlighting the emirate’s role as the gateway between the Indian

sub-continent and Europe.

The Dubai Tea Trading Centre (DTTC) transacted a record 10.6 million kilos and imported 116.5 million kilos of multi-origin tea in 2010, a 41 per cent and 15 per cent increase respectively compared with 2009.

Similar figures are expected this year, with diamond trade picking up where it left off in 2010. In January, the Dubai Diamond Exchange hosted a three-day auction where 34,000 carats of polished diamonds were sold for $7.2 million.

That same month, the Dubai Pearl Exchange (DPE) hosted the world’s first commercial

trade auction outside of Asia.

The four-day event featured Tahitian, Golden and South Sea pearls from Robert Wan, Jewelmer and Paspaley Pearling respectively. The auction attracted more than 100 pearl traders from 20 nations and generated $13.5 million in sales.

The emirate also hosted the bi-annual World Federation of Diamond Bourses Presidents Meeting, attended by former African Presidents and Ministers of Mines from five African nations.

Links Group chief says UAE on foreign investors’ radar More companies will consider launching operations in the UAE as the emirate continues to recover from the global economic crisis, according to a director championing business in the Middle East.

Stuart Curtis, managing director of UAE business development initiative Links Group, said economic stability would encourage company owners to lay roots in the region.

“As the global economy starts to recover on a more general footing and companies turn their attention to those specific areas where they see that expansion and growth are still possible, the Middle East is definitely going to be the uppermost in their thoughts.”

Launched in 2002, Dubai-based Links Group was set up to help new businesses to satisfy all legal and commercial processes in the emirate.

An agreement between Links Group and the Foreign Investment Office (FIO), part of Dubai government’s Department of Economic Development, was signed in late 2010 to identify new business opportunities in the emirate.

“This groundbreaking partnership between a government agency and a private organisation will enhance the reputation of Dubai as 24 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

a business-friendly destination and facilitate the inflow of foreign direct investment into the emirate,” Links Group’s CEO and BBG focus chair entrepreneurs, John Martin St.Valery, said when the collaboration was announced.

“It shows the drive and determination of both the public and private sector to enhance the whole business experience in Dubai and firmly puts out the ‘welcome’ sign to any companies considering setting up here.”

The FIO is looking to attract foreign investment into Dubai by providing information on existing investment opportunities and facilitating networking between investors and their partners.

In recent months, the FIO and Links Group held a joint presentation at the Entrepreneur Village in Dubai for potential new clients. The meeting, which focused on the benefits of working with strategic partners, covered various topics including operating from free zones, regulation, visa issues and legal and administrative matters.

John Martin St.Valery, CEO and founder, Links Group

NEWS

Jumeirah Group extends its arts and culture platform

Pictured with Derek Picot and Thatcher Brown is Margot Heller, Director of the South London Gallery, who accepted the award on behalf of Louis Vuitton.

Platinum sponsor Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, launched an Arts and Culture Award at the 15th Luxury Briefing Awards held at The Savoy Ballroom in London last month.

The annual awards show celebrates the best in the luxury industry while recognising efforts towards sustainability and emerging luxury leaders. Committed to this ethos, Jumeirah Group sponsored a new award, the Jumeirah Group Arts and Culture Award, which salutes leading international enterprises

supporting artists and advancing artistic practice through innovative creative collaborations in the business arena.

In a category of seven top-tier luxury nominees, it was Louis Vuitton’s Young Arts Project that won the inaugural award. The initiative offers British students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the concepts and ideas of the contemporary art world.

Jumeirah Group has a strong dedication to the arts, demonstrated through its Artist in Residence programme, international art fairs sponsorships and exhibitions in the Group’s hotels worldwide.

FIRM HOPING TO OUTGUN RIVALS WITH NEW VEHICLE British sporting guns manufacturer Holland & Holland has confirmed it is branching out by helping create a luxury, all-terrain vehicle.

The business is teaming up with Specialist Services, a Dubai-based offroad vehicle producer, to develop a model featuring an interior designed

by Holland & Holland that reflects the company’s sporting heritage.

Designers and engineers from both companies have already started work on the new vehicle, which will provide “absolute luxury in the most inaccessible environments”, according 26 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

to Specialist Services sales and marketing director, Chris Ridley.

“We expect the result of the collaboration between a modern vehicle manufacturer and a historical British sports gun maker to be a unique outdoor recreation vehicle that provides the ultimate in entertainment and accommodation.

It will be a luxurious vehicle capable of travelling across some of the world’s most challenging terrain.”

Specialist Services creates luxury vehicles for Middle Eastern royalty and other high-profile clients.

××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× SANTA ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× FE-INTERDEAN ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× AGREE MERGER ××××××××××××××××××× Relocation services provider Santa Fe has ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× agreed to acquire Interdean Europe, a ××××××××××××××××××× London-based removal company, for an ××××××××××××××××××× undisclosed sum. ××××××××××××××××××× The merger will create a business ××××××××××××××××××× offering relocation and record ××××××××××××××××××× management services through 120 ××××××××××××××××××× offices in 50 countries. ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× “Santa Fe and Interdean have been ××××××××××××××××××× close partners for a number of years and ××××××××××××××××××× already exchange a considerable amount ××××××××××××××××××× of reciprocal business. The merger is ××××××××××××××××××× therefore a natural fit and will add value ××××××××××××××××××× through increased efficiency and additional ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× services with a pure focus on serving our ××××××××××××××××××× clients,” a Santa Fe spokesperson said. ××××××××××××××××××× “We are pleased that Interdean’s senior ××××××××××××××××××× management team is enthusiastic about ××××××××××××××××××× the merger and remains committed to ××××××××××××××××××× the company. We have great respect for ××××××××××××××××××× the entire Interdean organisation and ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× what they have accomplished in building ××××××××××××××××××× Europe’s leading moving and relocation ××××××××××××××××××× services organisation. Their experience and ××××××××××××××××××× skills are key reasons behind this merger ××××××××××××××××××× and will benefit our clients and the entire ××××××××××××××××××× Santa Fe Group.” ××××××××××××××××××× The spokesperson added that the ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× two companies, along with Wridgways, ××××××××××××××××××× Santa Fe’s relocation services business ××××××××××××××××××× in Australia, will operate across Asia ××××××××××××××××××× Pacific and the Middle East once the ××××××××××××××××××× merger is complete. ××××××××××××××××××× Further expansion is planned in the ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× Middle East and Asia Pacific following this ××××××××××××××××××× merger, but there are no plans to establish ××××××××××××××××××× operations in North America. ××××××××××××××××××× Interdean provides relocation and ××××××××××××××××××× removal services from 48 ××××××××××××××××××× offices with 1,200 ××××××××××××××××××× employees in 35 ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× countries across ××××××××××××××××××× Western and Eastern ××××××××××××××××××× Europe, Russia and ××××××××××××××××××× Central Asia. ××××××××××××××××××× Kim Creutzburg, ××××××××××××××××××× Managing Director ××××××××××××××××××× Santa Fe ××××××××××××××××××× Relocation ××××××××××××××××××× ××××××××××××××××××× ×××××××××××××××××××

BUSINESS

PULLING POWER An economic resurgence during troubled times in the Middle East has seen Dubai establish itself as the region’s main business hub. Rob Morris reports.

POLITICAL UPRISINGS ACROSS the Middle East may have hit regional markets this year, but the fallout appears to have had little effect on Dubai. The emirate’s recovery from a global economic downturn that first reared its ugly head in late 2008 continues unabated, with Standard Chartered bank predicting four per cent growth this year.

The bank’s Global Focus – 2011 – The Year Ahead report, released at the tailend of 2010, said the trade, logistics, tourism and services industries would spur economic growth, marking a substantial increase from the two per cent rise in 2010. It’s a bright outlook for a state operating amid a tense political backdrop that has seen citizens of Egypt, Oman, Libya and Bahrain protesting against their respective governments.

“The UAE, in a social and political sense, is very stable at the moment and we are not seeing the level of uncertainty that we have seen in other countries,” says Jeff Wilson, deputy consul general for British Embassy Dubai and director at UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). “Dubai has a history of being a stable business centre that provides good opportunities to people. As long as that remains the case, and I see no reason why it shouldn’t, then I think people will still be attracted to Dubai.

“Successful businesses need a degree of certainty when looking ahead and the change we have seen in the region has created an uncertain situation in some markets,” Wilson adds. “But Dubai has remained stable; it is well known for being a business centre in 28 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

the region and people are attracted to that level of certainty. We are seeing people who might have considered moving to another regional centre thinking, ‘Dubai works for me’.”

Dubai’s status as a safe haven within a politically and socially unstable region is reflected in The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recent economic outlook. In May, the IMF said it expected the UAE economy to expand four per cent on average from now until 2017. “With oil prices remaining around US$105 per barrel over the medium term, the fiscal and external accounts will remain in surplus, and real hydrocarbon growth is projected to increase to 4.5 per cent,” the report said.

Considering the emirate’s recent financial plight and its geographical location within a turbulent region, the average four per cent growth rate is a welcome increase. Just 18 months ago, Dubai government had little choice but to default on bank loans after borrowing billions of dollars to finance extravagant projects.

Among the lavish developments, the government ploughed money into The World – a collection of man-made islands shaped to look like countries from around the globe – theme park Dubailand and the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa.

Since announcing the default, the government has implemented a restructuring strategy to settle its debts and establish more financial stability. As it stands, the IMF estimates the level of debt weighing down state entities to be US$169.3 billion – a significant figure, but not enough to prevent Dubai’s GDP from increasing 3.3 per cent this year to 3.8 in 2012 and 4.2 per cent in 2016.

“Instead of being beaten down by the drubbing it took from the financial crisis, Dubai is planning greater diversification and is reviewing all laws that affect the private sector to ensure it remains a cutting-edge business environment,” says John Martin St.Valery, founder and CEO of Links Group, a business start-up services provider for companies looking to lay roots in the UAE and Qatar.

“It has made a great success of free zones, its international financial centre and IT cities, and still rates highly in global surveys of the best cities in which to live and work.”

Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports

St. Valery adds the emirate’s financial strife proved a blessing in disguise as its leaders were forced to rethink their business model and adapt a more pragmatic strategy. “Dubai has almost had to rebrand itself away from being a city of firsts and glittering accolades that, while breath-taking and inspiring, did little for its reputation as a ‘serious’ business hub,’ he says.

“It is now about moving forward with a serious proposition for the world that says ‘we are the gateway to the Middle East’ and we have the right business environment and infrastructure to deliver new opportunities.”

Political stability aside, Dubai’s economic growth this year can be attributed to strong performing sectors such as tourism. Hub operator Dubai Airports recently revealed that passenger traffic at Dubai International BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 29

BUSINESS

ST OC K MA R K ET INDIC ES 150

Dubai

Abu Dhabi

Bahrain

Saudi Arabia

140

20 15

130 10 120 5 per cent

110 100 90

0 -5

80

-10 Jan 11

Sep 10

May 10

Jan 10

Sep 09

May 09

Jan 09

70

Source: Bloomberg

Airport climbed 13.2 per cent to 4.23 million in April compared to 3.74 million during the corresponding period in 2010.

When announcing the figures, Dubai Airports’ CEO Paul Griffiths said: “We have surpassed the four million passenger mark three out of the first four months of the year and that trend is set to continue.”

Griffiths added traffic had rebounded from last year when a volcanic eruption in Iceland disrupted air travel services across Europe. Travel industry chiefs also cite stability as a major factor, with visitors choosing the safe surrounds of Dubai over more volatile destinations like Egypt.

Banking is another industry likely to contribute to Dubai’s economic growth this year, according to Viswanathan Shankar, Standard Chartered bank’s CEO for the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Americas. “Unrest in this part of the world brings opportunities to Dubai,” he recently told Bloomberg, adding that the Dubai’s reputation as a safe haven would encourage more depositors to move money to the emirate.

Dubai’s bullish economic outlook makes Jeff Wilson’s life easier at the UKTI, where he is responsible for helping attract British businesses to the UAE. During the UK’s 2010-11 financial year, he and his colleagues helped bring more than 2,000 British business people to the emirates – a figure set to rise in the current financial cycle based on the emirate’s socio-economic stability.

Since early 2011, the UKTI has received increased demand from companies looking 30 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

to set up shop in Dubai. Wilson says some are currently located in the Dubai Nonhydrocarbon Growth UK while others want to shift their Abu Dhabi Nonhydrocarbon Growth Middle Eastern operations from volatile UAE Oil GDP Growth territories dogged by political unrest to safer surroundings.

“We have come across companies in other Middle Eastern territories looking to relocate to the UAE and I think most people in the business community will have seen examples of that,” he says.

“We focus on British businesses and have certainly spoken with companies that want to move here.”

Bosses eyeing Dubai as a base for their respective ventures will also 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 appreciate the proposed 100 per cent Sources: Country authorities and Fund staff estimates foreign ownership rule for companies operating in certain sectors, according to Links Group’s St. Valery. The government has discussed granting expatriates with companies in the UAE complete control of their enterprises. If passed, St. Valery believes the law will attract more British business owners to the emirates.

“Moves to allow 100 per cent foreign ownership in some industries is a positive indicator that will build on Dubai’s commercial reputation and show it has more to offer than glitz, glamour and bright lights,” he says.

“The ownership changes in particular show the government is adopting a more open attitude and approach to the ways in which businesses operate and it also shows an understanding that it needs to work with businesses as opposed to just setting the laws for them to operate within.”

Wilson agrees, saying the emirate’s solid infrastructure and strong core of industries will further boost Dubai’s appeal to British entrepreneurs and company directors. “Dubai has a real offer [for outside companies considering relocating] as a business and financial centre with several key sectors led by Emirates Airline, and logistics operators importing and exporting goods and services.

“Those key, core activities are paying dividends for Dubai and people are attracted by them; the business model is successful and we see strong growth in those areas. Traffic through Dubai airport is up very strongly and the amount of business being done in Jebel Ali Port is also up, so these key areas are growing very well.”

Barring any major political or economic changes, it appears unlikely that Dubai’s appeal among British businesses will waiver anytime soon.

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TRADE

UNITED WE STAND HH Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister for Foreign Trade, on the trade ties between the UAE and UK. Shalaka Paradkar reports.

HH Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi.

32 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

ONE OF THE MOST well-attended BBG events of recent times was the Forum Lunch with HH Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister for Foreign Trade. An extraordinary achiever, and a BBG honorary member, Sheikha Lubna addressed the gathering about the outlook for bilateral relations between the UAE and the UK. Members from BBG partners, The Young Arab Leaders, also attended this event, held at the Mina A’ Salam.

As one of the UAE’s most-visible government officials and first woman minister in the federal cabinet, Sheikha Lubna was anointed the most powerful Arab woman in the world by Forbes (she is also one of Forbes’100 Most Powerful Women in the World).

In her speech to the BBG, Sheikha Lubna highlighted the long and excellent relations between the UK and the UAE. “The UK and the UAE have more than the letter U in common. We have always enjoyed excellent relations not only at the economic level but socially and culturally as well. Our people have through the decades built a strong partnership based on common interest and mutual respect,” she said.

Speaking on the education connection, she said that many of the UAE’s leaders have been educated in British academies, schools and universities. “Recently the number of leading British institutions such as the London Business School, Repton School and Cass Business School have set up permanent campuses in the UAE while the number of Emirati students in the UK is currently estimated to be around 2800.”

The close ties between the UAE and UK have been reinforced over the years.

With more than 120,000 British citizens living in the UAE and another million plus visiting the country every year and up to 20000 Emiratis visiting the UK. “Even when it comes to trade and economic relations, our countries have an excellent track record. The UK sees the UAE as a hugely important market and our nations continue to enjoy robust trade and investment ties. The UK is one of the UAE’s most strategic allies and is our tenth most important trade partner in 2010. While the UK’s largest trading partner in the MENA region and its 13th largest export market. In 2010 our nonoil bilateral trade was Dhs19.82 billion and the value of the UAE exports and the exports from the UAE to the UK was

valued at Dhs2679 million while the value of our imports from the UK was Dhs17.25 billion,” Sheikha Lubna said.

She added that she expected the momentum of bilateral trade activities to even exceed pre-crisis levels this year. “The formation of a joint uae-uk task force last year with the mandate to build on its historic ties and common values between the two countries to achieve further mutual growth will make this possible. We particularly look forward to enhanced cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, energy and climate change, international development, culture and education, health and sports and council relations throughout 2011.”

Currently the UAE’s main export products to the UK include pearls, precious and semiprecious stones, precious metals, imitation jewellery, ceramics, iron and steel and consumer products.

The UAE’s investments in the UK have included a stake

Repton School, UAE Repton School, UK

Recently the number of leading British institutions such as the London Business School, Repton School and Cass Business School have set up permanent campuses in the UAE while the number of Emirati students in the UK is currently estimated to be around 2800. in Barclays Bank, Travelodge, the famous London Eye, and also covers various sectors of the economy. One of the year’s biggest investments in the UK include the London Gateway project being executed by DP World, a port capable of handling the largest deep sea container ships, as well as the UK’s largest business park.

Sheikha Lubna also congratulated outgoing BBG chairperson Mark Beer for playing an integral part in strengthening the presence of the UK embassies in the UAE. Under his leadership, BBG membership saw an average annual growth of 20 per cent, reaching a membership of over 1800 this year. “He also worked on successfully rebranding the BBG and strengthening its ties with the UAE and Dubai government. The BBG’s recognition

by The Telegraph Group as the world’s best business club is testimony of his sound leadership,” she said.

In her concluding remarks, Sheikha Lubna said: “The future prospects of both our companies look extremely bright and its up to us to make the most potential to build closer, mutually beneficial ties. To me the U that is common in the UAE and the UK means that we are united in our vision.”

London Gateway

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 33

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INTERVIEW

OPEN FOR BUSINESS Former Minister of State for UK Trade and Investment, Lord Digby Jones spoke to the Group, bringing with him a number of UK business leaders. Shalaka Paradkar reports.

ORD DIGBY JONES recalls his earliest memories of life in a busy corner shop where he lived with his mother, father and older sister. The shop was, he says, “within a spanner throw of the Austin” in Alvechurch just outside Birmingham. His graduation from University College London was followed by 20 years with Edge & Ellison, a Birmingham-based firm of lawyers, where he worked his way up from Articled Clerk to Senior Partner. In 2000 he joined the CBI, and in his six and a half years as Director General he became known in the public arena, especially for his candid, forthright attitude in his many media appearances.

He campaigned relentlessly on a range of issues including the move from traditional manufacturing of commodities to value-added, innovative products and services. He also lobbied against protectionism, protesting that “it is a scourge which may well find short-term popularity but inhibits growth, reduces wealth and oppresses the weak”. His views on the public sector remain a subject of great debate.

In 2005 he was knighted for his services to business and became Sir Digby Jones in the Queen’s New Years Honours List. When he left the CBI in 2006 he spent the next 12 months in the private sector as advisor to Deloitte and Barclays Capital, held a variety of non-executive board roles and was the unpaid UK Skills Envoy.

In July 2007 he was appointed Minister of State for UK Trade & Investment and became a life peer taking the title, Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham Kt. He concentrated on the business of promoting Britain across the world, travelling to 31 countries in 45 overseas visits. Apart from being an active crossbencher in the House of Lords, he serves as Chairman of the International

Business Advisory Board at HSBC, chairman of the International Business Advisory Board at British Airways, chairman of Triumph Motorcycles Limited, and is corporate ambassador for Jaguar Cars and JCB. Lord Jones was in the UAE to launch his first book, Fixing Britain – The Business Of Reshaping Our Nation. Well known for his straight talking approach, he told 120 British Business Group members that the balance of economic power has shifted so far east that the GCC is going to be the world’s business hub. Speaking at the Majlis Al Salam, Lord Jones said: “If Dubai is to fulfill its huge potential, it needs to prioritise education.”

He also stated that the West needs to change its attitude towards Asia and the wealth creation of its countries or, referring to Europe, “its children will suffer”.

“It has been very important in the last year that the UK has a sign over it saying open for investment, with economic management back on course and tackling the deficit. It’s very important that the international market knows that’s happening,” he says.

“The spending cuts that were announced in June last year were essential – it was important to do it early and in a way that stops the nation from spending money it hasn’t earned.

“The problem is cuts never grew an economy. And the only way we will ever get ourselves out of this mess as a nation, indeed the only way the developed world will get itself out, is if business is allowed to succeed.

“And that means you have to have (especially smaller businesses) the means to employ one more person each, being able to make more money, therefore employ more people and pay more tax. It’s a virtuous circle.”

Lord Jones says the recent budget has been about growing the economy. “It was about making sure that the impediment to growth is abolished so there are lower corporation taxes, less taxes on employing people, national insurance or people removed from paying tax at the bottom end – that’s great because it now means that it BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 35

schools, that’s wrong. If on the other hand – it’s merely substitutional, where the government won’t pay for university education, but people can – I think that’s probably right.

“You see if you’re a car worker, putting Jaguars together in Birmingham and earning £30,000 a year, why should your taxes pay for someone to study media studies in Plymouth? I can understand a student having to pay for it, out of their possible future earnings – that’s fine. I can understand why a taxpayer should pay to train doctors, nurses and teachers. University education, frankly, is something that people should pay for themselves out of their future earnings. That part of the cuts, I think, is a wise thing to do.

Education cuts on investment in the skills for tomorrow is very wrong.”

Education is a big part of his prescriptions outlined in Fixing Britain. “I am passionate about getting skills enhanced in the country.

There are four parts to that equation: one is government, which has to pay for it; then there is the person who has to understand that unless they acquire a skill they cannot compete; thirdly, there are the teachers, the providers of the skills who are preparing people for the world of work. Teachers who say that education is just an end in itself are wrong.

The fourth component, and the one that I do address a lot in the book, are the parents. The family must ensure that children go to school and get to work.”

LUNCH WITH LORD DIGBY JONES

Ghaleb Farah and Sir Maurice Flanagan KBE

Rick Pudner and David Burns

Photography: Naveed Ahmed

INTERVIEW

pays to go to work. And of course, if you are a young person, you have more money to spend.

I thought it was excellent. I know people call it a budget for business, but to my mind it’s a budget for everybody.

“If business is not seen as an intrinsic part of society, the part that creates wealth, then we have a poor chance of success.”

In his book, Fixing Britain, he has written that Britain needs to equip itself to compete with Asia or it will die. “The 19th century belonged to the UK, the 20th century to the USA and the 21st century belongs to Asia. And part of Britain equipping itself to compete is having the sign hanging above it saying it’s open for investment, hence the cuts, and part of it is to have businesses that succeed, hence this budget, and part of it is educating people so you have a skilled workforce.”

Will the spending cuts announced on education blunt the UK’s competitive edge in the future? “I think your premise is right. If you ever cut spending on education, you are cutting your investment. It’s not like cutting benefit spending, which is in a way is dead money, it’s money that you have to spend but it’s not investing in the future. Paying someone to stay at home and not work is not investing in the future. But paying for education is an investment in tomorrow.

On that basis, if the government was cutting spending on education, it’s a big mistake.

“There are two sides to it, of course. One is if it’s an absolute cut – like not building new

Matthew Lewis, Chris Ward and Stefan Hart 36 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

David Schirmer and Matt Clarke

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INTERVIEW

WIND IN HIS SAILS Greg Barker, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, told BBG members the UK aims to be the global hub for green capital. Dominic Ellis reports.

GREG BARKER HAS SPOKEN for just under an hour to a select gathering of BBG members during a lunch at The Palace Hotel in Dubai, and hasn’t faltered once.

You feel some ministers learn their portfolio as they go along, but clearly not Barker; here is someone who has a firm grasp on all matters energy-related and doesn’t shirk from the disparate demographic and economic challenges that accompany him and his position 365 days a year.

Barker’s green knowledge has grown in tandem with his political stature. He sat on the House of Commons Environmental Audit Select Committee (2001-05), and was then appointed Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Environment in 2005. Thereafter, he led the passage of the Climate Change bill through the House of Commons in 2008, and was a key author of the Conservative’s Low Carbon Economy paper in 2009.

Today, as Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, he’s in one of Whitehall’s hot seats, responsible for domestic and international policies. On a more prosaic level for consumers and businesses, it means removing the wool around the ‘green’ agenda, and weaving into it something more commercially tangible and effective.

It helps that, in Prime Minister David Cameron, he has a leader who takes environmental issues seriously.

“Within days of forming his Coalition Government in May last year, the Prime Minister came to the Department (of Energy and Climate Change) and said very clearly that he wanted this new coalition to be the ‘greenest’ Government ever,” said Barker. “It’s not rhetoric, it’s about making a profound change to the British economy 38 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

and making good on the targets and pledges set in previous years. It’s a recognition that the next decade in the UK will see extraordinary change as we move to a low-carbon economy.”

The UK’s switch to low-carbon is a legal obligation dating back to 2008 that committed it by law to reduce its carbon emissions by 80 per cent (from 1990 levels) by 2015. “There are huge opportunities for the UK, it means we can reduce our dependence on expensive fossil fuels and carve out market leadership in new markets,” he said.

“We should be optimistic in the UK about the potential of Britain to be a global leader in these new markets. Being energy-efficient is going to be a key benchmark for global competitiveness, particularly with manufacturing.”

Britain’s geography, breadth of educational institutions, oil and gas heritage, City of London financial strength and willingness to embrace change are the country’s five trump cards in Barker’s eyes.

“Given our island status and abundant coastline, we have huge potential to generate more renewable energy than any other country in Europe. The potential for off-shore wind, in particular, but also marine, wave and tidal technologies, as well as our onshore renwables, is immense,” he said.

The levels of expertise in UK universities and research centres across the country is another key attribute – “although we can really do a lot more to tap our research and development expertise, bring those ideas out of the lab and make them viable young companies,” he said.

The long-established engineering experience of oil and gas companies operating in the North Sea makes the UK well-placed to capitalise on the growing Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) and offshore wind markets – one sector in which he expressed strong views.

“We have to make sure we capture more of the supply chain in the UK and generate jobs at home.”

He said all too often the climate change debate is presented as ‘for’ fossil fuels or ‘for’ renewables. “Actually in a resource-scarce world, they’re part of the same equation,” he said. “That’s been recognised early on by the UAE government and it’s important to see energy in the holistic sense.”

Barker said it’s been very fashionable for politicians to knock the city, but the fact remains the financial services industry is a huge earner for the UK and remains a terrific asset.

“We just have to find new ways to harness the ability in the

Square Mile to innovate, in order to stop subsidising markets like sub-prime North American property, and instead tie it more directly to growth industries across the low-carbon economy,” he said. “We must ensure that the UK becomes a global hub

Greg Barker, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change

GREEN DEAL FOR UK HOMES The UK Government’s flagship policy, the ‘Green Deal’, will be launched in the second half of 2012. Hailing it as a “game changer” Barker said it will enable homeowners to access finance to improve their homes in an energy-efficient way, and it won’t be credit rated. The allowance is likely to be at least £6,000 and there will be an obligation on energy partners to subsidise measures. “It will create a multi-billion-pound market for energy efficiency and break the grip on the ‘big six’ energy companies,” he said.

“Back home, most people spend an average of £1,400 a year heating and lighting their homes – which is more than Norway. The reason for that is that we lose too much heat; our homes are leaky, draughty and poorly insulated. There’s a huge job to do.”

for green capital, so any company in the emerging green economy automatically looks to London first. We’ve got to ensure that London exerts its global leadership as the centre for the green market.”

Barker established the Capital Markets Climate Initiative, after attending his first UN Climate Conference, and the conclusion from Copenhagen – “one of the few positives to come out of it” – was a recognition that by 2020, $100 billion must be invested in developing countries to tackle climate change.

“But nobody I spoke to could really tell me how that money will materialise. So I brought together the key participants in the City, to say ‘right guys – let’s get some live projects off the ground’ and we’re focused on driving this business.”

Britain’s ability to embrace change, illustrated by the changes during Margaret Thatcher’s premiership during the 1980s, which resulted in a “much more flexible and entrepreneurial workforce” makes it also suitable for capitalising on the renewable industry, believes Barker.

“That entrepreneurial mindset is a great reason why we’re such a great trading nation today,” he said.

Barker recognises that while our motivations are diverse when it comes to climate change, ultimately the drive to a more efficient, lowcarbon economy is a “no brainer”.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re doing it because you’re mindful of the dangers of man-made climate change; or if you believe that we should be more energy secure; or if you’re worried about the rising cost of fossil fuels and think we should be more energy-independent in the long run; if you see export opportunities to new markets; if you’re concerned about depleted resources in a world which will see its population rise to 9.5 billion in our lifetime.”

He said with the emergence of China, which is now the world’s largest green economy, Britain can’t take its “foot off the throttle”.

“In order to maximise our global position, we need strong partners abroad and that’s where the UAE comes in,” added Barker, who was in the UAE attending the World Future Energy Summit for the third successive year. “The new Prime Minister has made it absolutely clear that there are certain relationships around the world that we need to re-invest and double up on – and certainly the Gulf, and UAE specifically, is one of those that’s absolutely vital to foreign policy.”

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 39

RETAIL

Retail is a core component of what makes London a world-class capital, generating eight per cent of the UK’s GDP and employing nearly three million people… but is the retail sector of Dubai swiftly catching up? Samia Qaiyum reports.

CB RICHARD ELLIS, global leader in real estate services, recently reported that Dubai now equals London as the most targeted destination for international retailers. Attributed to a wealthy consumer base, negligible competition from local retailers and a per capita gross leasable area surpassing the 1 square metre mark in 2008 (one of the highest in the world and significantly more than any other Gulf state), the city attracted more than half of all international brands surveyed.

Well-managed shopping malls in Dubai enjoy virtually 100 per cent occupancy ratios, while the length of waiting lists for retail space is indicative of further demand. With the rapid development of modern retail infrastructure, an influx of US-based retailers has been noted in the past 18 months; British retailers, however, continue to dominate the market, typically using Dubai as a springboard into the rest of the region. From the high-end to the high street, they’re present on every step of the spectrum.

Leading British designers Paul Smith, Matthew Williamson and Stella McCartney all have standalone boutiques housed in Dubai’s colossal malls alongside luxury British brands Dunhill, Burberry, Ted Baker, Kurt Geiger and Asprey. Making vintage 40 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

Stella McCartney

IS LONDON STILL CALLING?

fashion attainable to the city is pop singer Lily Allen, who recently launched an extension of her clothing store, Lucy In Disguise, at Boutique 1’s outlets.

Not surprisingly, designers fit for royalty also feel right at home here in the UAE. Three British names made headlines all over the globe amidst Royal Wedding fever. Alexander McQueen, operated as a franchise store in Dubai, was the talk of the town when creative director Sarah Burton was chosen to design the wedding dress. Alice Temperley, designer of Pippa Middleton’s bridesmaid dress, has a standalone store at The Dubai Mall while milliner to the royal family, Philip Treacy, is also stocked at Boutique 1 in JBR. Harvey Nichols Dubai, the largest store outside the UK and a landmark of luxury in the city, is fresh off the heels of its fifth birthday. The luxury powerhouse will embark on a sixth international venture with the opening of an outlet in Kuwait.

Situated in The Avenues Mall – Kuwait City’s prime shopping destination and home to Debenhams – the 10,000 square metre store is due to open spring/summer 2012.

Dunhill

Why Kuwait? Many UK-based retailers believe in their success here for a number of reasons – firstly, more than half the country is below 25 years of age. Additionally, like Dubai, there is tremendous hunger for the latest trends and affluent Kuwaitis are frequent travellers to London.

Middle East franchise operator M.H. Alshaya – a company that currently operates 2,000 stores in 15 countries across the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe – will manage the new Harvey Nichols store. Visibly dominating in the high street sector, Alshaya was responsible for bringing beloved British brands Next, Topshop, Oasis, River Island, Evans, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge, Warehouse and Mothercare to the region. The company also operates five branches of Debenhams in Dubai and one in Sharjah, all immensely successful thanks to the offering of aspirational merchandise at affordable prices.

Leading retail conglomerate Landmark Group established Landmark International in 2005 to focus on managing its international brands in the Middle East and North Africa. Four names make up the portfolio, three of which are based in the UK – New Look, Reiss and Aftershock. Other big names that

were eagerly embraced by Dubai include legendary toy stop Hamleys and a number of stores in the health and beauty category including Boots, Penhaligon’s, Lush and Jo Malone.

Maternity retailer Mothercare recently announced that it plans to close over a quarter of its UK stores and focus on high growth markets like China, India, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America. CEO Ben Gordon believes UK retailing is currently going through a real revolution, particularly in the high street. Following strong growth in recent years, Internet sales now accounts for roughly 7.5 per cent of total sales. “Trade is being taken by out-of-town stores and by the Internet, so there’s just fewer people shopping in town.” Last year, Alshaya said it planned to open 1,250 stores over the next five years, creating an estimated 4,000 jobs. Following Mothercare’s announcement, however, the company declined to comment on increasing its outlets in the Gulf region.

Yet no one speaks expansion in the Middle East quite like Marks & Spencer. The retail division of Al-Futtaim Group opened the region’s first store in Dubai in 1998, and others followed in rapid succession in Egypt, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 41

RETAIL Five outlets now cater to Dubai residents, while Al Ain, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have one each; another one will open soon in Mall of the Emirates. Marks & Spencer’s international business is rapidly catching up as new malls take residence in the UAE and across the region.

Opportunities to browse and buy British don’t just end at the high street – Dubai residents and tourists are now heading to one-stop shop Matalan, the UK’s number one value department store, for the latest trends “at half the price of the high street”. Business Trading Company (BTC), responsible for the sole distribution of Matalan in the Middle East, is embarking on an aggressive growth path. There are currently three outlets in the UAE, the most recent opening at Lamcy Plaza in Dubai, primarily drawing Asian expatriates who may be unfamiliar with the brand. Three store openings are in the pipeline for 2011 – a second branch in Abu Dhabi, one in Fujairah and one in Muscat, Oman.

According to Brand Manager Hasit Kakkad: “What surprises us is the fact that the typical Matalan shopper is a young, educated Emirati – often with children – who understands the value concept of price and quality, not just price.” Kakkad attributes Matalan’s success in the UAE, along with that of other British retailers, to familiarity. “More Emiratis travel to the UK than the USA for holidays. Some would definitely describe London as their second home and have become used to the brands on the British high street.” Recent VisitBritain data indicated that nearly 250,000 tourists listed “shopping” as 42 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

their main reason for visiting the UK. Furthermore, the annual value of overseas shoppers in London alone is approximately £2 billion, according to the Retail Unit of the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.

UK supermarket chain Asda is also cashing in with its discount fashion label, George. As per a recent announcement, it will trial the range in a small number of pilot stores across the Middle East, set to open in the first half of 2012. Asda\s first overseas franchising partner will be revealed in the next few months.

Clearly, we’re witnessing the emergence of a budget retail market aimed at the masses in response to the global recession and the changing spending patterns of UAE residents.

Even one of the first supermarkets in Dubai holds its roots in bringing a taste of Britain to the city’s cosmopolitan palate.

Spinneys – the premium supermarket chain in the Middle East – was founded in Egypt in 1924 by British expatriate, Arthur Rawdon Spinney. His vision was derived from the retail environment at the time, in which local merchants had little appreciation for an international shopping experience that included never before seen brands from England. And more recently, Waitrose chose Dubai as the location for its first two stores outside the UK, after entering into a licensing agreement with Fine Fare Food Market LLC. The supermarket’s overseas presence was extended this February, with the opening of a third outlet in Bahrain. David Morton, Director of International Development at Waitrose said: “Following the excellent sales performance

RETAIL

and positive customer response from customers, we’re currently working together to find more suitable locations in the region, with the aim of opening more shops in the Middle East.”

Industry research supports this continuing trend. According to a report by RNCOS – a globally leading market research and information analysis company – the Middle East has become one of the world’s most desirable retail environments in terms of investments and revenue generation. Moreover, with favourable government policy frameworks, rapid economic development, balancing crude oil prices and active participation of the private sector, the region’s retail industry is expected to surge at an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate of 13 per cent during the next two years to reach over US$682 billion by 2013.

RNCOS has identified Saudi Arabia and the UAE as the region’s most potential and dynamic retail markets due to a large expatriate population enjoying comparatively high net worth, improving purchasing power and abundance of petro dollars attracting premium and luxury brands.

According to Colliers International, shopping mall space is due to increase by 30 per cent between 2010 and 2013, leading to an oversupply of over one million m2 of gross leasable area in 2013. Having said that, it is important to note that the demand rate is calculated based on Dubai nationals and residents, and does not take tourist demand into account.

Experts believe that Dubai alone will benefit from more retail spend than the whole of Saudi Arabia thanks to the 15 million tourists who are expected to visit the emirate by 2015. The UAE will witness a growing market for all segments, especially food & beverages, apparel and cosmetics & personal care.

Similarly, activity in retail of consumer electronics will also sustain an upward growth trend in the coming years.

When it comes to drawing international and British retailers, Dubai is already ahead of some of the world’s most loved shopping capitals – Paris, New York and Hong Kong included.

As consumer confidence rises and retail rents continue to slide, there’s every reason to believe that the emirate’s retail revolution is likely to continue.

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Dubai Cumulative Shopping Mall Supply 3500000

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0.35

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0.3 0.25

2000000

0.2

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0.15

1000000

0.1

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0.05

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2013

Outlook on Rental Rates Number of Retailers (%)

60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Increase

Decrease Abu Dhabi

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WHAT’S IN A NAME? Retail Expansion Plans 100% 90% 80% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%

44 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

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Source: Colliers International

Number of Retailers (%)

70%

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INTERVIEW

SETTING THE BAR HIGH As the first female expatriate lawyer licensed by The Ruler’s Court and now running her own successful boutique legal practice, Cynthia Trench says it has been a good experience so far in Dubai. Shalaka Paradkar reports.

FOR LONG-TIME RESIDENTS in Dubai, Cynthia Trench is a familiar name. Having practised out of her office on Khaleed bin Waleed Street for over 15 years, she has written and spoken extensively about estate planning issues for expatriates.

Sharp, vivacious and a self-described optimist, she tells me about what Dubai has got right – and strange as it may sound, it includes resolving labour disputes speedily and effectively.

“If you look at recent trends in court and follow the Dubai World Tribunal as well as the Special Property Court established by the Dubai Government, they have actually ruled against government-owned entities such as Nakheel and Amlak.

“On the downside, a much better rent tribunal is yet to come. There’s still no clarity about rules regarding bounced cheques or whether there’s going to be a bankruptcy law for individuals. I have heard the FNC is clarifying inheritance laws for expatriates, as is the Government of Dubai. But will they be clearer? That is something I’d like to know.”

Inheritance law and its interpretation has been a contentious subject in the UAE, with many expatriates being caught out despite having a will.

“It doesn’t matter whether you have made a will or not. Currently, a majority of Dubai’s judges are ruling in favour of the Shariah law, which is applied mandatorily,” Trench says. “I’m meeting a government official soon with regard to clarifying the inheritance issues.”

I ask her if she is optimistic about the law being changed. “Let’s just say it will have to happen,” she replies.

That exemplifies the solicitor’s can-do spirit. She moved from Hong Kong to Dubai in 1989 and joined Fox & Gibbons, starting off at the lowest rank as an associate and keen on taking all types of work.

Trench soon realised the difficulties of a corporate environment. “I was the third highest-billing person in a firm of eight lawyers, yet felt I was not given the 46 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

recognition I deserved. I decided it would be easier to set up my own firm and got my license from The Ruler’s Office as the first expatriate female legal consultant, which was a great accolade.”

Her expertise lies in corporate and property law, handling many mergers and acquisitions. With the recent property and financial crisis, she has turned the firm around by not only assisting clients in restructuring developers’ contracts or sales and purchases, but also in dispute resolutions in property, construction and rental matters. Her practice has reflected the ups and downs of Dubai’s fortunes.

From 1996 to 2001, the firm focused I have heard the on corporate and commercial work, with FNC is clarifying some intellectual property law. The next inheritance laws for big change happened when the property expatriates, as is market was opened to expatriate investors. the Government of “From 2005 to 2007, the market was Dubai. But will they be in frenzy. I found it difficult – living in a town that used to be nice and sleepy clearer? but suddenly there was heavy traffic and increasingly rude people.” While her quality of life took a nosedive, her business became busy with property work. “You could name any fee and people would take it.”

Things started to deteriorate in 2008. “Many individuals had absconded and large national companies were laying people off.

2009 was even worse, when people started to feel the knock-on effects of not having been paid for a while. As a law firm and a business, it was challenging but clients were coming back to us, albeit a bit reluctantly,” Trench recalls.

Since the economic slowdown, Trench & Associates has now consolidated its niche in construction and property dispute work.

“Corporate commercial work went from 70 per cent to less than 30, while litigation is almost 60 per cent of our work.”

And the most common mistake with legal ramifications made by expatriates? She responds: “Public behavior – some take it for granted that the Middle East is a lot like home so they behave in a manner that would be frowned upon, even back home. Public intoxication and a lack of decorum were previously condoned. Today, the law is stricter with zero tolerance for drugs, and drinking and driving.”

Despite the recent tumult, Trench believes Dubai is on the up and up. “I think we can move on and create a better place. No matter how many derogatory articles you read about Dubai, the important thing is how we view it. Nothing is perfect but if you contribute to its development, you feel you have accomplished something.”

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EDUCATION

TRAINING DAY With most UK bosses clueless about how to rally the troops during times of crisis, calls to put executives through more management training courses are growing louder. But are companies getting enough bang for their buck? Rob Morris reports.

TALK OF MORALE DIPPING among British staff is hardly a major revelation given the harsh economic conditions that most businesses are operating in. But a recent report suggests untrained managers are also partly responsible for dampened spirits in the workplace.

In its latest spring economic outlook survey, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) found that 70 per cent of managers believed morale had suffered during the past six months. The report also revealed that 45 per cent of respondents noticed a decline in the number of workers that considered themselves involved in and valued by the business.

Giving its own verdict on the findings, the CMI said managers with little understanding of how to lift morale should shoulder some of the blame for workplace unrest. Figures compiled by the organisation show that only one in five bosses in the UK has received formal training – a statistic the CMI wants to increase to 50 per cent by 2020.

“These statistics are an indication that not enough is being done by managers at present, but this might well be because they just don’t know how to do better.

Government statistics indicate that only one in five managers in the UK has a formal management qualification, demonstrating a skills shortfall which, if not addressed, could have negative impacts on the UK economy,” CMI’s chief executive Ruth Spellman said.

Similarly, Tom Anger from Queen’s Executive Development Centre (QEDC) is an advocate of management training programmes; his company provides executive development courses for senior directors through the Queen’s School of Business in the US, Europe, the Gulf, Asia and Australia.

The training programmes cover several facets of management, including strategy, leadership, finance, marketing, sales, HR and operations leadership, with three day courses available in the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The school also offers courses that are specifically tailored to a company’s training requirements.

48 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

Anger is convinced the courses help develop directors into better managers. “The frameworks and skills that participants learn in our programmes are readily transferable to their organisations,” QEDC’s executive director says. “Our faculty is available to sit with individual participants to improve their skills so when they return to the workplace they hit the ground running. This way, companies see tangible results immediately.”

It’s a bold assertion in light of the criticism aimed at management and MBA courses in recent years. Scott Rostan founder of Training The Street (TTS), which provides corporate valuation and financial modelling seminars to top business schools in the US, told Bloomberg last month MBAs and management training courses were coming under heavy fire.

But referring to a recent TTS survey involving 400 MBA students, Rostan added 91 per cent of first-year participants and 81 per cent of second year students said they were optimistic about their post-course job prospects compared to 82 per cent and 72 per cent respectively in 2010. The report also revealed 50 per cent of students enrolled in a Masters Of Business Administration course had received at least one job offer from prospective employers.

“Over the past couple of years, people have been asking, ‘Is [the MBA] worth it?’” Rostan told Bloomberg. “Now students are seeing the potential with multiple offers.”

Randa Bessiso from Manchester Business School in Dubai is aware of the criticism levelled at MBAs, with detractors claiming the thousands of dollars spent on taking the course does not represent value for money. Students enrolling in the UAE will pay nearly US$38,000 to learn about strategy, marketing and leadership in one of four chosen fields: finance, engineering,

global business and project management. Most participants usually have management experience under their belt and are enrolled on the course part-time while working as a senior professional in a steady role.

Critics also say employers are more likely to receive job applications from MBA graduates today than 10 years ago as the number of people taking the course has risen considerably in that time. The upshot is the kudos once attached to the qualification no longer applies.

But Bessio, Manchester Business School’s director for the Middle East, insists having an MBA still opens doors for job applicants. “In today’s market, having an MBA is no longer a privilege but a must,” she says. “Having the qualification allows them to step up in their industry or branch out into another one either locally or internationally.”

Contrary to what critics claim, most companies are still keen to fill their ranks with MBA graduates when the opportunity arises, Bessiso adds. “We work with a lot of corporates and we have a dedicated careers advice officer who is often approached by companies to access our pool of talent at Manchester Business School,” she says. “These companies specifically want to work with MBA students and many of them are often headhunted before they’ve even completed the course.”

Arguments aside over whether MBA graduates are still highly sought after, QEDC’s Anger has noticed sectors worst hit by the global financial crisis spend less on management training and MBAs.

But the decision to invest less in these courses is purely a financial one and nothing more, he adds. “In general, companies that invest in their people continue to do so,” Anger says.

“Certainly we’ve seen that the banking sector is continuing to invest in executive development, but sectors like real estate have been affected by the downturn.”

Given the high price individuals and companies pay for MBA and management training courses, Bessiso understands the reluctance to shell out thousands of dollars in tough economic conditions.

Nevertheless, she is adamant the long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term costs.

“The higher you are in an organisation the greater the need to update your skills and knowledge and that’s what a good MBA ensures,” she says. “People vary in their management styles but by the time they graduate they see the world differently. It changes their perspective and gives them the ability to become tomorrow’s leaders and understand business on a global scale.”

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TECHNOLOGY

CRACK DOWN Will it prevent cyber cheats from downloading content illegally, or harm the basic rights of ordinary citizens? Debate over the UK government’s Digital Economy Act rages on.

Rob Morris reports.

WHEN CALLED TO TACKLE online piracy and prevent internet users from illegally downloading and sharing content, the UK government hoped new legislation introduced in April 2010 would strike a blow to cyber cheats. But more than one year on, doubts remain over whether an act introduced to prevent online copyright infringement will have the desired effect.

Under mounting pressure from film and record companies to fight internet pirates, new anti-piracy legislation was passed during the final days of the former Labour government. At the time it was hoped the Digital Economy Act (DEA) would help prevent web piracy, which costs UK businesses an estimated US$659.2 million a year.

But with the legislation still to be fully implemented by the coalition government, UK telecoms companies are questioning how effective the act will prove.

In particular, internet service providers (ISP) TalkTalk and British Telecom believe the measures aimed at preventing online pirates from downloading and sharing

50 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

movies, TV shows and music need to be revised. If the act is fully implemented, ISPs could be responsible for suspending internet connections of any customers believed to be illegally downloading content.

TalkTalk and BT claim the online copyright infringement legislation is inconsistent with European law and believe it could “harm the basic rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens”. They also say the act did not receive sufficient parliamentary scrutiny when rushed through by the previous Labour government in April 2010.

In a joint press statement, the companies said full implementation of the act would create a “disproportionate interference with the rights of internet service providers, subscribers and internet users and with the concept of freedom of expression”.

So concerned are they about the act, the companies are attempting to overturn government plans to introduce the DEA for the second time. In April this year, BT and TalkTalk lost a High Court judicial review of the legislation, leaving the path open for the government to fully implement the act.

But undeterred by their recent defeat, BT and TalkTalk are taking the battle to the Court of Appeal in the hope a fully-implemented DEA never sees the light of day. “Both companies believe the High Court’s conclusions on many of the other important and complex issues put before it were not robust enough to provide the certainty and clarity which the companies sought,” they said in a joint statement. “This is why they are seeking leave to take the matter before the Court of Appeal.”

Four of the five grounds the act was judged against in the judicial review have been contested by BT and TalkTalk, particularly its alleged inconsistency with European law. Both companies are concerned about the legislation and how it works with EU directives on e-commerce, authorisation, technical standards, electronic communication and privacy.

While BT and TalkTalk mount their case, the government can push ahead with plans to send warning letters to alleged illegal downloaders – a process that is expected to start before June next year. That is unless a court ruling states otherwise, which is unlikely given the drawn out nature of legal proceedings.

With no legal resolution expected anytime soon, BT and TalkTalk will at least hope to get the case heard in the Court of Appeal. But it remains to be seen whether they can even get that far, let alone convince a judge they have a legitimate cause for concern.

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WHO DOESN’T LOVE A BRITISH ACCENT? If there’s one group of designers that can’t be accused of playing it safe, it’s the British. Inject a dose of their bold colours, clashing patterns, edgy embellishments or quirky silhouettes into your wardrobe – starting with that elusive, statement-making accessory. Text: Samia Qaiyum

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52 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

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BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 53

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SPORTS

STRIVING FOR GOLD Chris Foy, head of Visit Britain’s Olympic unit, tells Shalaka Paradkar how his team plans to leverage the London Games.

THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN to the 30th Olympic Games, hosted in London next year for an unprecedented third time.

The Olympic Delivery Authority has promised a legacy of cultural, sporting, environmental and economic benefits that will last for decades. Visit London puts the estimated additional tourism revenues 54 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

from the 2012 Olympic Games at Dhs 8.8 billion over 10 years.

Tour operators have been less bullish however. According to the European Tour Operators Association, at the last 2008 Olympics in China, tourism was down both before and after the event.

With a Dhs 12 billion budget, 25 per cent of which is to be realised through the 6.6 million tickets sold and the rest through private sponsorship, a lot is riding on the success of the Games.

Chris Foy, Head of 2012 Olympics Unit, leads on VisitBritain’s

The first Olympic venue to open, the 6,000seat Velodrome was designed by Hopkins Architects, Expedition Engineering, and BDSP

on the 2012 Games role in 2009. At Visit Britain he has spent a nine-month spell leading on the London Development Agency’s Olympic welcome programme, and three years as a non-executive Director of the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board.

Visit Britain has also produced the 2012 - Great reasons to sell London & Britain document to reassure travel trade, media and visitors that Britain is very much open for business. Foy discussed how his unit will ensure that the UK continues to be an attractive destination for the region’s tourists.

With less than 400 days to go for the 2012 Olympics, what are some of your biggest challenges?

In destination marketing terms, one of the biggest challenges is to use the Games to successfully showcase the country to new audiences in emerging markets and to reintroduce its attractions to old friends who haven’t been back for a while.

We also have to get the ‘welcome’ right for our guests next year – and that’s not just at the airport. To us, the welcome starts before people visit with quality, impartial advice and inspiration; and crucially once they have arrived – delivering world class customer service at every touch point.

strategy for the 2012 Games – with core objectives to improve the welcome for our visitors, enhance the image of Britain, and to spread the benefits of hosting the Games across the whole country.

Foy was recently at a Travel and Tourism breakfast in Dubai, during which he addressed member concerns on everything from event tickets and transport options to sponsorship and venues.

Foy joined VisitBritain from Visit London in 2003 to manage relationships with the UK’s nations and regions before taking

What are some of the strategies you will be using to mitigate the “stay away” factor from regular tourists?

This as a combination of re-assurance and inspiration. The host nations of many major events often feel that normal business is displaced by event’s arrival. One of the many great things about London is the sheer scale of accommodation on offer.

There will be over 120,000 hotel rooms in London alone by next summer, and if visitors want to just dip into the city during the Games, there are other great cities to BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 55

SPORTS

Chris Foy, Head of 2012 Olympics Unit

Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor has designed the Olympic Park sculpture, The ArcelorMittal Orbit, in collaboration with Arup.

stay in like Oxford, Cambridge and Brighton – all under an hour away.

I’m sure many were inspired by the Royal Wedding to visit our shores anyway, but 2012 itself will be a special year. Not only do we have unique events like London’s Olympics, Paralympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, but all those quintessential British events like

Wimbledon and the Chelsea Flower Show will still be happening, and drawing in visitors from around the world.

What important concerns did you address during your trip?

This trip allowed us the chance to share our experience and approach to sport tourism with other nations, especially those in the Gulf. It has also been a chance to re-assure tour operators and media that Britain is very much open for business in 2012.

What are the next big milestones to be achieved?

Before we know it, the one-year countdown will be upon us (July 27) but in many ways there are big milestones achieved everyday as new iconic buildings are completed to add to east London’s skyline.

My favourite is the velodrome – the sleek wooden clad arena that will hopefully host a British cycling gold rush next summer.

Tell us about some of the deals in 2012 for tourists?

Visitors should look out for our ‘Britain-You’re Invited’ campaign as it breaks over the summer and autumn. We’ll bring together compelling, value-formoney deals from across the UK then asking Brits to invite their overseas friends and families to visit and take advantage of these offers.

One message you would like to share with BBG members.

That we’re already celebrating in Britain and the world is invited to join us in 2012.

56 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

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TRAVEL 58 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

THE INN CROWD A spate of luxury hotel openings have livened up the capital in the run up to the 2012 Olympics, reports Shalaka Paradkar.

The W London Leicester Square, a favourite with the smart set.

WHILE THE UNPRECEDENTED two kisses exchanged by Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton sealed the deal for millions of adoring viewers all over the world, the year-long party in the UK’s capital is just getting started. Pricewaterhouse Cooper (PwC) calculated the commercial benefit to London from the royal wedding to be Dhs650 million, from visitors’ expenditure. RevPAR at London’s hotels jumped nearly 400 per cent during the wedding weekend, according to a report by research agency Pegasus Solutions. And despite an expected 134 per cent rise in rates, the length of stay increased over both the post-wedding weekend and Easter.

For London’s hospitality sector, the windfall may just be beginning. Mark Ambler, economist at PwC, says: “The wedding will be a great economic boost for London’s economy and a good indicator of the potential economic benefits of the Olympic games when more than ten times this number of visitors is expected.” From all counts, the future of London’s hotel sector is looking quite rosy indeed. As one of the world’s most popular gateway destinations, it’s also a must be-in destination for many hotel operators. As PwC’s report says: “Investors are currently eager to enter the luxury sector in London, where the barriers to entry are high, trading has been strong and high quality assets are relatively scarce.”

The Olympics have unleashed a frenzy of investment and construction in hospitality.

According to research agency STR Global at the end of December 2011, 1 4,061 hotel rooms were ‘in construction’ in the UK, with 38 per cent of these rooms being in London. The number of rooms being constructed in the UK is almost double that of Russia, which sits in second place in the construction league table.

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 59

TRAVEL

The luxury end of the market is being well catered to with products to suit diverse tastes: from more relaxed, contemporary hotels to refurbished grande dames.

Among the raft of new hotels expected to open in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics is the sleek new Aloft London ExCeL, being developed by ExCeL London’s parent company, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC). This will be the first Aloft hotel in the UK. W Hotels continued with its designoriented approach, opening the W Leicester Square with its funky discoball interiors designed by Concrete. The Financial Times has reported that Giorgio Armani is in talks to build his first hotel in the UK, a 200-plus room luxury venue that may be built in Knightsbridge, near Harrods.

Designed by Antonio Citterio, the Bulgari Hotel and Residences in Knightsbridge.

The Savoy, operated by Fairmont Hotels, has undergone a Dhs1.3 billion refurbishment.

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60 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

Period hotels that have recently refurbished include the Savoy and the St Pancras Renaissance hotel, operated by Marriott. This is a period property that underwent a fiveyear, Dhs1200 million renovation. The 245-key property has 38 Victorian suites with period features such as high ceilings and tall windows.

On the anvil are a new Four Season Heron Plaza and Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, which currently has properties in Milan and Bali, recently signed a deal with Ritz-Carlton to open a third hotel in 2012 in Knightsbridge. New properties from Sol Melia, Shangri-La and Alrov are expected as well.

By 2012 London is estimated to have an additional 2,400 ‘deluxe’ hotel rooms, representing a 27 per cent increase in inventory. But while this room inventory is expected to cater to the influx of visitors leading up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it remains to be seen whether occupancy levels can be sustained post event.

While London today is the world’s most popular holiday destination for city breaks, it will also be targeting the MICE market after the Games; much as Sydney and Barcelona did, to capitalise on their success as Olympic venues. Both Visit London and VisitBritain have identified aversion tourism as one of their big challenges in the run up to 2012. The agencies are doing their best to persuade consumers and the international travel trade that London/Britain in 2012 will be open for business as usual and to avoid the destinations being omitted from their programmes in Games-year, as has happened to previous host cities and countries.

Liz Hall, head of hotel research at PwC, sounds a note of caution: “While absorbing the new rooms may not be too much of an issue in central London post Olympics, it may be more difficult for sites further out of the central tourist core and business districts. Luxury hotels are often the most volatile and cyclical of all hotel segments and the first to take a dive when times are bad due to a high cost base and high service levels. It’s difficult to reduce the cost base without devaluing the brand and status. On the other hand, they are susceptible to a very rapid recovery when times are good, as we have seen in the past and are starting to see now in London.�

by Emily Chan

DISTILLING THE ESSENCE of what’s most valuable, useful and taught at Harvard Business School (HBS) would be a challenging task. Emily Chan takes it on with aplomb, making it an interesting and illuminating journey for the reader who is starting out in business.

Chan’s worked as a corporate strategist, as an independent consultant and with the Boston Consulting Group.

Unsurprisingly, her writing is rich with examples and anecdotes drawn from her vast personal and professional experiences.

She offers a beginner’s guide to entrepreneurial success, structuring it over three areas: personal, operations and business strategy. A lot of this would be old ground for managers who have been to business school, yet Chang brings a breadth of freshness and cultural perspective when she tackles topics such as presentations, networking and process management.

Almost half of what is written has been learned outside the hallowed portals of HBS, which is a good thing.

Warren Buffet said that he “jumps out of bed and tap dances to work every day.” In a refreshingly candid disclaimer, the author freely admits that she likes her job but is yet to tap dance to work. “I guess for people like me,” she writes, “there are only two possibilities – either we eventually find a career that we are passionate about or we do not find a passion in any work and will eventually decide to retire early when we have enough investment income. Therefore, do not be discouraged if you have yet to find your passion.”

Mercifully free of management jargon, and written with simplicity and intellectual rigour, this is a book that entrepreneurs and investors should have in their library as a handy reference guide. – Wiley

Confessions of an Arabic Interpreter

by Leslie McLoughlin

HAVING LIVED in the Arab world for over 50 years and taught Arabic at several universities, McLoughlin’s love of the language in all its forms, nuances and subtleties, shines through in this memoir.

Published by Motivate Publishing, this book is rich in detail and wry humour. Having interpreted for HM The Queen and the British government from 1983-2004, McLoughlin offers us a ringside view of the art of interpreting during the course of several historic talks. There are many fascinating vignettes of the real personalities behind the British and Arab leaders of the 1980s.

An interesting and enriching read for anyone interested in Anglo-Arabian political relations. – Motivate

The Great Workplace

The Negotiation Book

How To Build It, How To Keep It And Why It Matters

by Michael Burchell and Jennifer Robin

by Steve Gates

TECHNOLOGY HAS revolutionised workplace design in recent years; the traditional office space has been transformed into a desk-less office, people have broken free of their workstations and wireless access now lets people work from coffee shops (giving rise to the word, coffice) and kitchen tables.

However, in many respects, the fundamental factors that make a workplace great are pretty much the same as they used to be: respect, fairness, credibility and pride.

The Great Place to Work model was developed in 1984 by Robert Levering, co-founder of the Great Place to Work Institute. The latter develops the annual ranking of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list that has featured some of the finest companies in the world –

FROM REALPOLITIK to parenting, the art of negotiating, is one practiced millions of times every day across the world. Negotiation is an undeniable part of business and in many parts of the world it is an intrinsic cultural more. Given that so many are now locked into protracted negotiations after the fiscal crisis, this book couldn’t have come at a better time. The question is does it deliver the goods? Will reading it make one a successful negotiator? The answer to both questions is an ambivalent maybe.

While the book does an excellent job of dissecting the fine art (and science) of negotiation, it would be difficult to relate these to real-life business scenarios and a more pragmatic approach would have added much value. – Wiley

Google, Cisco, American Express and Starbucks, to name a few.

In this book, written by Great Place to Work Institute insiders – Michael Burchell (who heads the UAE chapter) and Jennifer Robin, the model is explored further, using case studies to validate their points. A great workplace by this definition is one that fosters employee trust, pride in what they do, and enjoyment in the people they work with. Most CEOs will publicly say that their people are their greatest assets, while doing little to nurture and safeguard this “asset”. The case-study approach brings alive the definition of “great workplaces” and offers pointers for employers who are challenged with leveraging human capital and looking to adapt these best practices for their own organisation. – Jossey-Bass

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 61

BOOK REVIEW

Harvard Business School Confidential

The philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein once said that to imagine a language is to imagine a form of life. For a young Lesley McLoughlin, author of Confessions of an Arabic Interpreter, this imaginary other life was distinctly Arabic and a fascination with the language remained with him throughout his life. Nick Rice meets him in Dubai following the publication of his new book.

WHEN LESLEY MCLOUGHLIN’S father returned home to rural Lancashire from his faraway visits in the deserts of Egypt in the Second World War, he brought with him new words which captured his young son’s imagination. Words such as “shufti” to mean look, or “yallah” for let’s go, casually came into frequent usage at home but these new sounds set the young McLoughlin daydreaming about this strange foreign world. By the time McLoughlin had himself become a soldier and completed his national service in 1960, he decided to rejoin the army and study Arabic at Durham University.

His love of the language remained with him throughout his life and he taught at the renowned Middle East Centre for Arabic Studies (Mecas) in Lebanon. This so-called “school for spies” run by the UK foreign office, trained generations of British Arabists before finally closing its doors after the Lebanese civil war. McLoughlin moved on to become an interpreter of at the highest level, serving British Prime Ministers such as Margaret Thatcher and a array of Arabic royalty and VIPs. His new autobiography gives an engaging insight into a life spent studying the beauty and mystery of the Arabic language.

Who inspired you when you were growing up and who inspires you today?

Among Arabists, I would say it was Charles Beckingham, my tutor at Manchester University in 1954.

Was your fascination and love of foreign languages due to your natural aptitude for them, or was it more than that?

Well, being brought up in Lancashire and educated in Liverpool I was always conscious of the differences in English dialects. In addition, my father brought home from the North African campaigns

62 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

Naveed Ahmed

INTERVIEW

SEEING LIFE THROUGH LANGUAGE

lots of Arabic expressions. Add to that the fact I was taught by the Irish Christian Brothers who had a wonderful way with English. The greatest stimulus to interest in foreign languages was to be taught French and Latin from the age of 10. Latin is, of course, the gateway to all the romance languages.

What is the most difficult part of the interpreting process for you and what comes most easily?

By the time that I interpreted at No. 10 Downing St. I had

been using Arabic for 23 years and felt comfortable with hearing and using Arabic spoken by Arabs from many dialect areas.

What was new was that I had to develop techniques for note-taking so as to be able to interpret immediately and without slowing down communication between the visitors and, say, Mrs Thatcher.

You must have a wealth of amusing anecdotes about mistakes being made?

Well, the best answers I can give is to refer you to my book which gives lots of examples.

Were any close to being catastrophic?

In my situation, nothing came close to the example of a British Minister visiting Kuwait who referred to the British ROLE in the Gulf, but because he was Scottish, the assembled Arab journalists thought that he was advocating British RULE in the Gulf.

How do you think teaching has evolved over the decades?

Well, in 1960 one of the most favoured books was Teach Yourself Arabic, which was completely useless for anyone studying modern Arabic. Thankfully, 50 years later there are some excellent and attractive materials using many forms of media. I am currently a consultant to a fascinating European Union project for teaching Arabic online.

How much time do you devote to your work and what do you do to relax?

I am very lucky in that my work is my hobby, and that I still retain an interest in learning new things about Arabic.

What motivates your work?

The conviction that it is enormously important that there be understanding between, (a) the Arab world and the rest of the world, and (b) Islam and other religions.

On average, how long does it take you to translate a book and what kind of hours do you put in on a daily basis?

The most useful thing I can say is that if the work to be put into English has great literary value, then one should not regard the job as just a chore. With Tawfig

Awwad’s great novel, which was published in English as Death In Beirut in 1976, I hardly noticed the time go by.

What achievement in your career are you most proud of?

Being elected in 2010 to be a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

What advice would you give to those considering a career in translation and interpretation?

For non-Arabs, the minimum requirement is a degree in Modern and Classical Arabic from a good university plus knowledge of the Arab world and of several dialects. For Arabs, essentials are an excellent command of Modern Standard Arabic and knowledge of several dialect areas, plus knowledge of English to degree level.

Nothing came close to the example of a British Minister visiting Kuwait who referred to the British ROLE in the Gulf, but because he was Scottish, the assembled Arab journalists thought that he was advocating British RULE in the Gulf.

What’s your opinion of electronic translators?

Such systems have been known for years and it is very easy to see the limitations in their usefulness.

How do you see the future of Interpretation and translation?

The world is becoming increasingly dependent on both, whether at the UN or in the EU and in other international bodies, but increasingly worldwide in the commercial field.

What book is on your bedside table at the moment?

At this very moment, and by complete coincidence, it is: The Little Giant Encyclopedia Of Leadership Gaffes.

What are some endearing and infuriating quirks in the Arabic language?

Arabic vocabulary is a delight. There is no other language which has a word meaning, ‘Someone with whom you would be happy to chat’ in the evening. The word is Samir, which is a man’s name. There’s also a feminine form too: Samira.

Could you tell us some typical slang words we use in English which derive from Arabic?

In Britain “bint” is widely used to refer to a girl and people in the military will say “Let’s have a shuftee” for “Let’s have a look.”

“Arsenal” is also derived from the Arabic “daar al-Sinaa’a” meaning the “house of industry.”

Confessions of an Arabic Interpreter: The Odyssey of an Arabist, 19592009, Motivate Publishing, is available now.

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 63

Guests at the British Embassy in Dubai enjoyed a special gathering to mark the momentous occasion on Friday, April 29.

Dominic Jermey OBE, HE Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori and HE Sir Easa Al Gurg CBE

Dominic Jermey OBE, Mohammed al Kait and Sheikh Abdulla bin Humaid Al Qassimi

Ian Fairservice, Karen Warrington and Mark Beer

Mohammed Al Bastaki, Kamal Vachani, Madhvi Vachani and Francis Matthew

Steve Hill, Mariana El Hage and Nakhle El Hage

HM Consul General Guy Warrington and Karen Warrington 64 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

Photography: Naveed Ahmed

EVENTS

Royal Wedding Celebrations

Paul Johnson and Beth Thomas

Emma Flanagan and Keith Flanagan

Lunch with the Lord Mayor of London Alderman Michael Bear, the 683rd Lord Mayor of the City of London, spoke to BBG members about key issues and developments in the UK.

Keith S. Stack and Marcus Hurry

Alison Moore and Nicholas Cully

Zayd Maniar, Mark Hoyle and Eddy Winters

Mark Beer and Michael Bear

Joe Capaldi and Rachel Kaur

Rugby Legends Sunset BBQ A special event with rugby stars, including the The British Legends rugby squad.

Martin Roberts, Cathi Price and Derek Eves

John Dudley, Craig Emmerson and Len Dinneen

Peter Rogers, Stephen Franks and Ciaran Dwan

Steve Boyle and Ben Breeze BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 65

EVENTS Sir Maurice Flanagan KBE

Paul Kinscherff, Tariq Qureshi, Mark Beer and Gary Rynhoud

Dinner with Sir Maurice Flanagan Sir Maurice Flanagan KBE addressed BBG members at a special dinner at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, commemorating 25 years of Emirates.

David May, Jan Fairservice, Ghaleb Farha and Ian Fairservice

Louise and John Eldredge

Photography: Naveed Ahmed

HM Consul General Guy Warrington, Brandy Scott, Karen Warrington, Sybille Young and James Young

Victoria and Jonathon Davidson 66 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

Sarah Kovacs, Dale Garbett and Jennifer Kosior

BBG Focus Finance & Banking Dinner John Wolfgang, Chairman of UHY, shared his views on the EU Commission’s Green Paper on audit.

John E. Wolfgang and Phil Knowles

Hisham Farouk, Raza Meghji, Tim Bramston and Shabbar Dhalla

Stuart Dunlop, Deepak Chainani and Dato’ John Lim

David Schirmer and Urszula Koterba

Lunch with Keith Clarke, CEO Atkins Keith spoke on delivering a low carbon society and the commercial opportunities in adapting to climate change.

James Watson, Danuta Wurm and Prof. WIll Stewart

Richard McLerie and Simon Cooper

Cheryl Cairns, Mark Sneeby and Dawn Cunningham

Denis Glibic and David Manning BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 67

Financial planner Sarah Lord addressed BBG members at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.

Dan Dowding and Victor Low-Foon

Sahar Wadi and Mariam Safawi

Mohammad Zaheer and Brian Williams

Rolf Arndt and Derk-Jan Derksen

BBG Focus HR Breakfast Mike Hynes, managing partner of Kershaw Leonard, spoke on the cost of living in the UAE.

Munro Deysel, Michele Johnson, Ian Giulianotti and Christopher Coleridge Cole

David Johnston and Sarah Khalil

Photography: Naveed Ahmed

EVENTS

Focus Legal Breakfast

Colin Crabbe and Ian Shears 68 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

James Townsend and Howard Pearce

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BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 71

NEW MEMBERS

New members

The BBG extends a warm welcome to the following who have joined in recent months.

NEW BUSINESS MEMBERS 3W Networks P.O. Box 341184, Dubai Tel: 04-3267744 Fax: 04-3267755 www.3wnetworks.com Nominee: Walid Gamali Chief Executive Officer walid.gamali@3wnetworks.com Alternate: Philip Blake Project Director Mob: 050-5545861 philip.blake@3wnetworks.com 3W Networks is a technology based Communications Contractor and Systems Integrator primarily involved in providing Integrated Communication Solutions to Oil & Gas, Power Utilities, Telecom Operators, Transport and Fiber Optic Infrastructure sectors.

The company offers its clients a comprehensive range of complete turnkey communication solutions to suit any application involving Wireline and Wireless Transmission, Voice and Data, Safety, Security and Fiber Optic Cables.

The company is certified to ISO9001 and holds a team of highly skilled and motivated people with a broad base of experience, focused on providing cost effective, innovative and reliable solutions engineered and supported locally.

Acuma P.O. Box 23940, Dubai Tel: 04-3328582 Nominee: Robert Paul Symons Director Mob: 050-3415772 bsymons@acuma.ae Alternate: Kevin Thorp Chief Executive Mob: 050-4258891 kthorp@acuma.ae Additional: Kausic Pindora Consultant kpindora@acuma.ae Established in 1999, Acuma Wealth Management is one of the most recognised and respected providers of financial planning solutions in the Gulf Region. With a head office in Dubai and licensed by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the UAE Ministry of Economy and the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi, Acuma’s consultants are able to provide a comprehensive review of your financial situation.

72 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

With over 50 qualified professionals working across three different divisions including Acuma Wealth Management, Acuma Insurance Brokers and the Acuma branch in Abu Dhabi, Acuma meets the needs of a diverse client base.

Airbus Middle East P.O. Box 54341, Dubai Tel: 04-6027855

ADNH Compass ME LLC

Nominee: Habib Fekih President habib.fekih@airbus.com

P.O. Box 46806, Abu Dhabi Tel: 02-4447228

Alperton LTD FZC

Nominee: Graeme Tomkins Director, Business Development – Middle East Mob: 050- 8497937 graeme.tomkins@adnhcompassme.com Alternate: Nathan Russell Sales & Business Development Manager Mob: 050-8184769 nathan.russell@adnhcompassme.com We are a company specialising in catering and support services in the healthcare, corporate, defence, oil and gas and accommodation village sectors. We employ over 18000 staff in the UAE and have over 400 clients. We are a joint venture between Abu Dhabi National Hotels and Compass Group – the world’s largest catering company.

AGS Relocations

P.O. Box 262201, Dubai Tel: 04-8865744 Fax: 04-8865607 Nominee: John Richard Richardson Chairman & CEO j.r.richardson@fig-corp.com Alternate: Pattasseril Chacko John General Manager chacko@agtfzco.ae Alperton LTD FZC is a subsidiary company of the FIGCORP. We are specialised in the trading and services in the Construction, Oil & Gas, Automobiles and Marine Industry. Our operating markets are Libya, Azerbaijan, Algeria with offices in UK, Dubai and Libya.

Arpadis IMEA JLT

P.O. Box 27049, Dubai Tel: 04-4541531 Fax: 04-4541532 www.agsmovers.com

P.O. Box 486148, Dubai Tel: 04-4484322 www.arpadis.com

Nominee: Zia Hussain Managing Director – UAE Mob: 055-2029112 zia.husain@agsmovers.com

Nominee: Stephane Guerrouche Managing Director Mob: 050-5515913 s.guerrouche@arpadis.com

Alternate: Muzamil Mohamed Sales Manager Mob: 055-9951027 muzamil.mohamed@agsmovers.com

Arpadis IMEA JLT is the subsidiary of Arpadis Chemicals NV.

International & domestic removals, Storage, Door to Door service, Office removals. Free quotes. 120 locations in 73 countries, 37 years experience

The Arpadis Group consists of two main business segments:

AGS, for moving with peace of mind.

Air Charter Services

t %JTUSJCVUJPO PG $IFNJDBMT UISPVHI Arpadis Chemicals NV t 1SPEVDUJPO PG $PBUJOHT BOE 1PMZNFST through Arpadis ACP

Nominee: Matthew Smith Account Manager Mob: 050-4503984 hs@acs.ae

The Arpadis Group acts as an intermediary in the distribution of chemical products between producers and processors or users. The latter are undertakings that manufacture semi-finished or finished products used in very diverse sectors: the food sector, the animal feeds sector, the pharmaceuticals sector, the cosmetics sector, household products, water treatment products, surfaces, paint, construction etc.

Alternate: Charles Wilcox Account Manager –Cargo Mob: 050-4591524 cw@acs.ae

Increasingly, customers’ requirements have extended to the field of services, leading Arpadis to develop an industrial custom processing.

Custom processing consists of processing products

P.O. Box 293696, Dubai Tel: 04-2149222 Fax: 04-2045086

for the account of the customer. It may involve repackaging or re-assembly and synthesis of chemical products, on the basis of technology provided by the customer, and using raw materials provided by the customer or provided by Arpadis.

Baker Tilly MKM Chartered Accountants P.O. Box 124600, Dubai Tel: 04-3354233 Fax: 04-3351711 www.btmkm.com Nominee: Mago J.B. Singh Managing Partner, Middle East Mob: 050-4625675 mago@btmkm.com Alternate: Kapila Karunaratne Director - Business Development Mob: 050-6533027 kapila@btmkm.com Baker Tilly MKM has a history of 30 years and today is one of the largest professional firms specialising in Audit, Accountancy, Advisory, Management & Financial Consulting.Clients are serviced through 13 offices in three countries, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Saudi Arabia, served by multicultural partners from various parts of the globe.

Baker Tilly MKM is a member firm of Baker Tilly International, London UK which is the 8th largest network of highest quality outstanding firms represented by 150 member firms together operating from 610 offices in more than 140 countries.

Dealing with Baker Tilly MKM means dealing with the whole world in one place, for seamless services that are provided through worldwide offices of the member firms around the Globe. It has grown by focusing on clients’ financial needs and providing excellent and timely client services with a personal touch.

Britam Defence Limited P.O. Box 502418, Dubai Tel: 04-3902309 Fax: 04-3664085 www.britamdefence.com/ Nominee: Robert Doughty Corporate HSE Manager rdoughty@britamdefence.com Alternate: Beverly Ann Weeden Dubai Office Manager Mob: 050-5572750 dubai@britamdefence.com Britam is a leading international business risk management consultancy able to offer a full range of services to the corporate sector across the spectrum of security advice, analysis, health & safety, training and assistance. Britam offers unparalleled accredited professional training services for the private sector, including a full spectrum of First Aid programmes, Health & Safety, Fire and Security Awareness, Guard Security Training and Consultancy.

Britam are an accredited training centre for NEBOSH, IOSH CIEH and IADC Rig Pass training and registered training providers for the Fire Protection Association and Medic First Aid.

British Airways P.O. Box 1989, Dubai Tel: 04-3075000 Nominee: Paolo De Renzis Regional Manager-Middle East Mob: 050-5541629 paolo.derenzies@ba.com Alternate: Jan Joshi Kumbalaparambil Sales & Business Development Manager Mob: 050-3107841 jan.joshi@ba.com Additional: Saloni Bijal Shah Corporate Sales Manager Mob: 050-4569185 saloni.shah@ba.com British Airways has a worldwide route network that covers more than 150 destinations in 75 countries. In August 2009, British Airways celebrated its 9Oth anniversary, and in 2010 began its joint business with American Airlines and Iberia Airlines.

British Airways currently serves the Middle East with 59 flights per week including Bahrain, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat and Riyadh.

British Airways serves Dubai two times daily and Abu Dhabi once daily.

work attitude and a mix culture, surrounded by intellects that are well trained and geared to provide the practical guidance and quality assistance in starting and running a business across UAE. Our services range from Business Consultancy, Business formation, PRO Services to Serviced offices. We make business hassle free by offering you a simple, affordable & flexible step-by-step process that can have you up & running in just 7 days with the following registration types: t -JNJUFE MJBCJMJUZ DPNQBOZ t 1SPGFTTJPOBM mSNT t #SBODI PGmDFT 3FQSFTFOUBUJWF 0GmDF t 'SFF [POF DPNQBOJFT t 0GGTIPSF DPNQBOJFT

Corporate Research & Investigations LLC P.O. Box 111794, Dubai Tel: 04-3589884 Fax: 04-3589094 www.crigroup.com Nominee: Zafar Anjum Chief Executive Officer Mob: 050-9038184 zanjum@crigroup.com Alternate: Kanwal Zafar Director kzafar@crigroup.com

British Airways was the first commercial airline to introduce a fully flat bed in First class in 1996 and in Business Class in 2000, and has invested £100m in its new First cabin that is currently being rolled out across its longhaul fleet.

Corporate Research and Investigations LLC, also known as CRI Group., a global supplier of investigative, forensic accounting, business integrity due diligence and employee background screening services for some of the world’s leading business organizations. Incorporated and Licensed by the Dubai International Financial Centre, CRI safeguards businesses by establishing the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers and customers seeking to affiliate with your business.

CRI Group maintains offices in Dubai, Bahrain, Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Manila, Riyadh, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Capital International Group

Fitness and Food

British Airways operates from Terminals 3 and 5 at London Heathrow. Terminal 5 is exclusive to British Airways customers and is capable of handling 30 million customers a year.

P.O. Box 116171, Dubai Tel: 04-3232360 Fax: 04-3232370 Nominee: Ayub Ahmed Managing Partner Mob: 050-4650906 a.ahmed@cigdubai.ae Alternate: Shehab Ahmad Mohammad Abdulla Ahmad Partner Mob: 050-1532553 a.shehab@cigdubai.ae Capital International Group is well established company based in Dubai, UAE, providing professional solutions, growth advisory and comprehensive range of business incorporation services to both new and experienced investors.

Established in 2007, CIG has been growing in leaps and bounds. With a healthy, professional

P.O. Box 52244, Dubai www.fitnessandfood.ae Nominee: Roohi Hamlani Partner Mob: 050-305 4502 roohi@fitnessandfood.ae Fitness and Food offers a balanced and integrated approach to health and well-being – exercise and nutrition coaching in a group or one on one format. We specialise in providing flexible and measurable corporate wellness solutions for companies looking to improve employee health, productivity, motivation, retention and recruitment and lower health care costs. Our clients include BP, Shell, British American Tobacco and Johnson & Johnson.

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 73

NEW MEMBERS

Friends Provident International P.O. Box 215113, Dubai Tel: 04-4362800 Fax: 04-4380144 www.fpinternational.com/me Nominee: Matthew Ottiwell Waterfield General Manager, Middle East & Africa Mob: 050-8750165 matthew.waterfield@fpinternational.com Alternate: Ian William Bentley Director of Sales – Middle East & Africa ian.bentley@fpinternational.com Friends Provident International provides competitive life assurance, pensions and investment products for Asia, Middle East, Europe, UK and other selected markets, and is part of the Friends Life group. The Friends Life group is the name used to describe Friends Provident Holdings (UK) plc and all subsidiaries of that company. Also, in this group is Friends Life which was launched in March 2011.

Friends Provident International benefits from a strong relationship with the Friends Life business, sharing a heritage that dates back over 200 years, a reputation of trust, commitment and integrity in providing financial solutions to customers throughout their lives.

Home Couture 1 (LLC) P.O. Box 28484, Dubai Tel: 04-4275588 Fax: 04-7050036 Nominee: Osama El’circy General Manager Mob: 050-6554444 os.oldo@gmail.com Alternate: Hanne El’circy Chairman Mob: 055-6554444 hanne.dubai@gmail.com

HSBC Bank International P.O. Box 66, Dubai Tel: 04-4236077 www.offshore.hsbc.com Nominee: Tracey Spear Business Development Manager traceyspear@hsbc.com Alternate: Joanna Bolding Senior Premier Relationship Manager joanna.bolding@hsbc.com

JEB Event Production P.O. Box 29870, Dubai Tel: 04-3207885 Fax: 04-3207886 www.jebeventsdubai.com Nominee: Edwin Cheeran Business Development & Mktg Manager Mob: 055 6644223 edwin@jebeventsdubai.com 74 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

Alternate: Bijan Sadanandan Operations Manager Mob: 055-8125495 bijan@jebeventsdubai.com JEB Event Production is the sound, lighting, and full service Production Company. We offer everything from rental of speakers to complete event production including experienced, professional DJs. Working with individuals, corporations, and many local event planners we help make dream events a reality.

Providing excellent service and value are our top priorities – we treat every event as if it’s our own, giving a level of attention and details that is unsurpassed. Making sure that your needs are met, we plan meticulously, and have back-up equipment available to ensure a worry free event. Our staff are always professional and courteous and respond to your requests to ensure things go the way you want.

Lancashire Insurance Group P.O. Box 506635, Dubai Tel: 04-4255100 Nominee: Giles Hussey Chief Executive Officer Mob: 050-4585474 giles.hussey@lancashiregroup.com

LightBlue P.O. Box 114363, Dubai Tel: 04-399 6763 www.lightblueww.com Nominee: David Balfour Managing Partner Mob: 050-684 5256 david.balfour@lightblueww.com Alternate: Ian Lynagh Partner Events, sponsorship, sports sponsorship, promotion, retail, experiential marketing, social media, digital marketing, advertising, interactive, brand experiences, b2b, consumer engagement, trade marketing, product launch, strategy, creative, graphic design.

Limelight PR P.O. Box 72280, Dubai Nominee: James Holmes Managing Director Mob: 050-1142216 james.holmes@limelightprme.com

Lussidesign FZC P.O. Box 9137, Sharjah

Alternate: John Melcon Executive Chairman Mob: 050-4585474 john.melcon@lancashiregroup.com Established in late 2005, Lancashire is a global provider of specialty insurance products operating in Bermuda, London and Dubai. We focus on short-tail, mostly on a direct basis, specialty insurance risks under the four general categories: property, energy, marine and aviation, and we are an established & successful market leader.

Our goal is to provide an attractive risk-adjusted total return to shareholders over the long-term by actively rebalancing our portfolio as opportunities evolve.

With compound return on equity since inception of in excess of 20%, compared to 12% from the S&P 500 over the same period, Lancashire’s “underwriting comes first” philosophy is illustrated by a 5-year average combined loss ratio that outperforms our sector by 25%.

Listed on London’s FTSE 250 Index, we underwrite from our offices in London and Bermuda. The Dubai office was established in the DIFC in 2007 and provides a marketing presence for our clients, brokers & investors based in the Middle East & Asia.

Tel: 055 5267264 www.lussidesign.com Nominee: Asif Khan Marketing & Design Consultant Mob: 055 5267264 info@lussidesign.com Alternate: Omar Khan Owner Mob: 055-3036818 omar@lussidesign.com LuSSi Design (TM) recognizes and promotes SUSTAINABILITY by developing REVOLUTIONARY PROJECTS such as: Business consulting practices that optimise your company. Broad horizon performances. Land and property investments laying the foundation for a new green way of life. Furniture Design and Retail Solutions made with eco-friendly materials.

MindShare Advertising LLC P.O. Box 35661, Dubai Tel: 04-2827222 Nominee: Andrew Pound Regional Director Mob: 055-1382388 andrew.pound@mindsharemena.com

Mojo PR

Nasco Trading

NXD Global

P.O. Box 127523, Dubai

P.O. Box 24674, Dubai

P.O. Box 124723, Dubai Tel: 04-3290388 Fax: 04-3328117

Tel: 04-3408876 Nominee: Tara Rogers Partner Mob: 050-345 8424 tara@mojo-me.com Alternate: Louise Mezzina Partner Louise@mojo-me.com Mojo PR is an independent boutique PR agency headquartered in Dubai, and operating within the Mojo Communications Group. With a wealth of PR experience in the Middle East, UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the Mojo PR team creates and delivers intelligent, relevant PR campaigns for a wide range of clients across the Middle East, North Africa, Levant and neighbouring regions.

Our core expertise is to tell the client’s story to the right people, manage their profile and influence the influencers. Whatever the medium – print, broadcast or online – and whoever the audience – consumer, corporate, government – Mojo PR ensures exceptional exposure for our clients’ brands.

Fax: 04-3408867 www.nascotrading.com Nominee: Avinash Valrani Managing Director avinash@nascotrading.ae

National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 5300, Ras Al Khaimah Tel: 07-2281127 Fax: 07-2283238 www.rakbank.ae

Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel Dubai P.O. Box 8264, Dubai Tel: 04-3771106 Fax: 04- 3574477 www.parkregishotels.com

Mob: 050-6478864 honeybill@rakbank.ae RAKBANK is the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah. It was founded in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah on June 15, 1976. Over the ensuing years the bank has grown and flourished and now has a significant retail banking business throughout the UAE. The bank continues to expand the base of its groundbreaking products and services through

P.O. Box 85579, Dubai Tel: 04-438 5300 Fax: 04-438 5300

new standards in the banking industry within the region.

National Grid International Ltd

Founded in 1992, Move One is a multiple award winning integrated assignment and moving management company, providing seamless international relocation, removal and logistics services across the globe – all through a single point of contact. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, Move One provides cutting edge relocation and logistics solutions. Through its extensive Preferred Partners Network and strategically located offices, Move One provides a uniquely tailored service to meet the needs of even the most demanding international client. The company is proud of the reputation it has earned among industry specialists for supplier quality and technological innovation. Together with its IT partner company, Radix Technologies, Move One has developed an industry leading suite of SaaS applications, allowing for unmatched control and visibility during the entire life of an international assignment or shipment.

Additional: John Martin St. Valery Partner john.msv@nxd-global.com

General Manager

a young team of business innovators setting

Alternate: Yolande Hutchison Business Development yolande.hutchison@moveoneinc.com

Alternate: Julie Irving Partner Mob: 050-8459950 julie@nxd-global.com

Nominee: Graham Honeybill

Move One Relocations

Nominee: John Nicholls Business Development john.nicholls@moveoneinc.com

Nominee: Martin Bond Partner Mob: 050-4559484 martin@nxd-global.com

P.O. Box 54336, Dubai Tel: 04-2994481 Fax: 04-2994482 www.nationalgrid.com Nominee: Sabah Barakat General Manager menka.hemrajani@ngrid.com Alternate: Menka Hemrajani Office Manager Mob: 050-5358445 menka.hemrajani@ngrid.com National Grid is one of the world’s largest utilities, focused on delivering energy safely, reliably and efficiently. It owns and operates gas and electricity transmission and gas distribution networks in the UK and US and electricity distribution networks in the US. We also have a number of businesses operating in related areas such as wireless infrastructure for broadcast and telelcommunications, metering and interconnectors.

All our networks are highly complex, requiring a unique mixture of skills, experience and planned investement.

Nominee: Scott Anthony Butcher General Manager Mob: 056-7783796 sbutcher@parkregisdubai.com Alternate: Hassan Al Jawhari Director, Sales & Marketing Mob: 050-6572216 haljawhari@parkregisdubai.com Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Hobart and Launceston as well as properties currently under development in Singapore, Dubai, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, China and India.

ProConsult Advocates & Legal Consultants P.O. Box 122352, Dubai Tel: 04-3298711 Fax: 04-3298733 www.uaeahead.com Nominee: Tony Maalouli Managing Director Mob: 050-2128798 tmalouli@uaeahead.com Alternate: Dr. Alexander Khan Commercial Partner, Barrister-at-law Mob: 050-7727947 alexander@uaeahead.com Leading law firm based in the United Arab Emirates experienced enough to deal with the diverse and complex needs of clients seeking legal advice or planning to establish structure or restructure their business, ventures or projects in the UAE. We advise our clients on all aspects of business law from the drafting of contracts, incorporating companies and joint ventures, to Information technology, commerce, corporate law, banking, corporate finance, insurance, real estate, and Labour Law. We conduct litigation on behalf of our clients and we have the right of audience before all UAE courts in the seven Emirates, and are registered with the Dubai International Financial Centre Court Register of Practitioners and are authorized to issue and conduct proceedings before the DIFC Courts.

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 75

NEW MEMBERS

Reed Personnel Services

Talent Partners in the Gulf

Kevin Fairbotham

P.O. Box 501734, Dubai Tel: 04-4469700 Fax: 04-4469702 www.reedglobal.com

P.O. Box 58026, Dubai Tel: 04-3439960 Fax: 04-3439030

P.O. Box 88, Sharjah kevin.fairbotham@bukhatir.ae

Nominee: Andrew McNeilis Group Managing Director Mob: 050-5381296 Andrew.McNeilis@talent2.com

P.O. Box 450611, Dubai Tel: 04-4325641 Mob: 050-3400713 linda@clevertravelconsult.com

Nominee: Steve Williams Regional Manager Mob: 050-6223186 steve.williams@reedglobal.com Reed is a leading global recruitment business providing: search and selection, contingency search and RPO solutions. Reed is operating in over 30 vertical markets with 400 offices world-wide including Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Qatar, UAE, Libya, Malta, Turkey, Poland, Czech, Hungary, Ireland and the UK. Our global network gives you access to one pool of candidates and a sector dedicated specialist consultants, with superior knowledge of specific professions and industries including: Retail and Wholesale Banking Investment Banking Human Resources Insurance Engineering Energy Health and Life Sciences IT & Technology Property & Construction Aviation Recruitment Out Sourcing Interview and Selection Training Reed Dubai is registered in Knowledge Village and in 2010 was the first recruitment firm in the UAE to be issued with an official Search and Selection licence. We have over 5 years experience in the GCC with offices in both Doha and Dubai. Reed have been leaders in total resource solutions for over fifty years, so it is little wonder that we understand our business. We are committed to a continued growth plan in the Middle East with further expansion on the horizon.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel P.O. Box 126034, Dubai Tel: 04-3722550 Fax: 04-3722020 Nominee: Rahil Khan Senior Sales Manager Mob: 0553004607 Rahil.khan@ritzcarlton.com Alternate: Elida Tjoenndal Director of Revenue Management Mob: 050-6001132 Elide.tjoenndal@ritzcarlton.com

Royal London 360 P.O. Box 450591, Dubai Tel: 04-8135383

Matthew Jennison NEW NOT-FOR-PROFIT MEMBER Zayed University – Institute for Community Engagement P.O. Box 500320, Dubai Tel: 04-3900935 www.zu.ac.ae Nominee: John Comrie Academic Development Director Mob: 056-7246732 jc@johncomrie.com ICE is the outreach arm of Zayed University and seeks to transfer knowledge and expertise from the university to the wider community. HE Sheikh Nahayan welcomed the creation of ICE in his address to the 2008 convocation. I wish to stress the importance of this initiative that will serve the wider needs of the communities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We will strive to establish partnerships with government, with industry, and with the public schools. Success in this important endeavour requires institution-wide collaboration and participation. The university’s mission is to support the economic and social development of the UAE by making available the academic and research resources of Zayed University (ZU), and to engage ZU students in voluntary work to develop their sense of responsibility towards their communities.

Dubai Mob: 050-2732429 mjennison@mphglobal.net

Taleb Kabbara Dubai Mob: 055-6984564 taleb9@yahoo.com

Nigel Morgan Dubai Tel: 04-2077771 Mob: 050-5500252 nigelm@mashreqbank.com

Geoffrey Neal P.O. Box 262879, Dubai Tel: 04-3747221 Mob: 050-2530360 gneality@aol.com

Michael Thraves P.O. Box 54404, Dubai Mob: 055-2092406 michael.thraves@lcpgcc.com

Sarah Wiseman P.O. Box 371363, Dubai Tel: 04-3481511 Mob: 050-2595739 sarah.wiseman@shipleywins.co.uk

Edward Sanders NEW INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Boff Jonathan Anderson P.O. Box 9261, Dubai Mob: 050-6451901 banderson1@slb.com

Malcolm Beattie P.O. Box 9261, Dubai Tel: 04-3067241 Mob: 055-7527258 beattie3@slb.com

Iftikhar Bokhari P.O. Box 48748, Dubai Tel: 04-3905503 Mob: 050-8860358 iftibokhari@hotmail.com

Nominee: Stuart Shilcock Head of Sales (Middle East) Mob: 050-7081819 stuart.shilcock@royallondon360.com

Dayal Chanrai

Alternate: James Roberts Parsons International Sales Manager Mob: 050-7185089 james.parsons@royallondon360.com

Paul De Cordova

76 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

Linda Jakobson

P.O. Box 261518, Dubai Tel: 04-3256495 navin@chanrai.com

P.O. Box 212337, Dubai Tel: 04-4272700 paul.decordova@klgates.com

P.O. Box 283393, Dubai Tel: 04-3285995 Fax: 04-3307066

NEW NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS Touchline FZ LLC P.O. Box 77826, Abu Dhabi www.touchline.com Nominee: Leonard Alexander Stall Director Mob: 050-1043955 leonard@touchline.com Alternate: Waleed Gubara Commercial Director Mob: 055-5502848 waleed@touchline.com Touchline has its UAE office in the the twofour54 media freezone in Abu Dhabi, and is one of the world’s leading contract publishing agencies with a portfolio of blue-chip international clients. These include: The International Olympic Committee, Saatchi & Saatchi, British Airways, Tanner Krolle, National Geographic, UN AIDS, Reader’s Digest, the National Association of Decorative & Fine

Arts Societies, the British Lions, RBS Six Nations and the International Rugby Board. In the UAE, Touchline has recently launched Vision magazine, on behalf of Falcon & Associates. Other projects for Falcon & Associates have included a superb coffee table book about Dubai presented to international VIP guests at the Dubai World Cup, and Essential Dubai, a guidebook.

Touchline FZ LLC is also the publisher of Baron magazine from its UAE base, and is proud to announce that it will be the publisher of Royal, the magazine of Royal Jet.

Triumph Entertainment Ltd Post Code: WC2E7DU, UK Tel: +44207379 4870 Fax: +442073794860 Nominee: Debbie Arnold Consultant Tel: +44 7540637487 debbie@debbiearnold.com Duncan C Weldon and Paul Elliott produced shows together for ten years from 1967, and again from 2001 as Triumph Entertainment Ltd. Between them they have produced or co-produced 300 London productions. The first production they co-produced together was When We Are Married in 1969.

Since then, they have gone on to produce a wide variety of shows including: Buddy – the Buddy Holly Story which played for 13 years in the West End, with such acting greats as Al Pacino in American Buffalo (Duke of York’s); Anthony Hopkins and Colin Firth in The Lonely Road (Old Vic); Albert Finney in Another Time by Ronald Harwood (Wyndhams); Charlton Heston in The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Queen’s)and Kevin Spacey in The Philadelphia Story (Old Vic).

CHANGES TO EXISTING MEMBERS Atlantis The Palm, Dubai P.O. Box 211222, Dubai Tel: 04-4260000 Fax: 04-4260005 www.atlantisthepalm.com Alternate: James Wyndham Vice President of Guest Relations Mob: 056-6714347 James.Wyndham@atlantisthepalm.com

Clifford Chance LLP

Alternate: Jonathan Dolden Managing Director Mob: 055-9792687 jonathan.dolden@emadix.com

Nominee: Robert Keddie Regional Director For Middle East & Africa robert_keddie@hermanmiller.com

Dubai English Speaking School

P.O. Box 502601, Dubai Tel: 04-4235268 www.hsbc.ae

P.O. Box 2002, Dubai Tel: 04-3371457 Fax: 04-3378932 www.dessdxb.com Alternate: Gary Russell Head Teacher headteacher@descdubai.com

Nominee: Phil Ashkuri Head of Insurance – UAE phil.ashkuri@hsbc.com

HSBC – UAE Management

Dubai International Financial Centre

P.O. Box 502601, Dubai Tel: 04-4236055 www.hsbc.ae

P.O. Box 74777, Dubai Tel: 04-3622252 Fax: 04-3622236 /www.difc.ae

Nominee: Marcus Hurry Deputy CEO - UAE marcushurry@hsbc.com

Alternate: Marwan Lufti Deputy CEO & Head of Business Development marwan.lufti@difc.ae

Faithful+Gould Limited P.O. Box 33786, Dubai Tel: 04-4059100 Fax: 04-4059101 www.fgould.com Alternate: Darren Bellew Country Manager darren.bellew@fgould.com

Global Relocations P.O. Box 57084, Dubai Tel: 04-3523300 Fax: 04-3523304 www.globalrelocations.com Nominee: Vanessa Costin Relocation Consultant Mob: 055-8455386 vanessa@globalrelocations.com

International General Insurance Co. (Dubai) Ltd P.O. Box 506646, Dubai Tel: 04-3633520 Fax: 04-4255675 www.iginsure.com Alternate: Huib Van Zanten Casualty Underwriter Mob: 050-6540534 Huib.VanZanten@iginsure.com

Jitendra Chartered Accountants P.O. Box 43630, Dubai Tel: 04-3438022 Fax: 04-3438033 www.jitendragroup.ae Alternate: H. Venkata Raju Audit Partner v.raju@jitendragroup.ae

Knowledge Network (K-Net)

Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

P.O. Box 72066, Dubai Tel: 04-3435343 Fax: 04-3213555 www.knet.ae

P.O. Box 35767, Dubai Tel: 04-2932222 Fax: 04-2932223 www.fulbright.com

Alternate: Farzana Mansoor Client Relations farzana@ihdubai.com

Nominee: Jonathan Sutcliffe jsutcliffe@fulbright.com

Gulf Finance Corporation Pjsc

P.O. Box 9380, Dubai Tel: 04-3620444 Fax: 04-3620445 www.cliffordchance.com

P.O. Box 35356, Dubai Tel: 04-5010100 Fax: 04-3951086 www.gulf-finance.ae

Alternate: Richard Ernest Partner, Abu Dhabi Tel: 04-3620444 richard.ernest@cliffordchance.com

Alternate: Tom Fielder Head of Commercial Finance for Abu Dhabi tom.fielder@gulf-finance.ae

Cranfield School of Management

Herman Miller Limited

P.O. Box 9738, Dubai Tel: 06-5263411 Fax: 06-5263887 www.cranfield.ac.uk/som

HSBC – UAE Insurance

P.O. Box 37190, Dubai Tel: 04-5156565 Fax: 04-5156566 www.hermanmiller.com

Liberty Logistics LLC P.O. Box 8845, Dubai Fax: 04-2831166 www.libertylogistics.ae Nominee: Vishal Dhamija Senior Manager info@libertylogistics.ae Alternate: Nasir Hussain Senior Business Development Executive info@libertylogistics.ae

Manchester Business School Worldwide P.O. Box 502907, Dubai Tel: 04-3658315 Fax: 04-3604505 www.mbs-worldwide.ac.uk/global_network/ middle_east.asp BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 77

NEW MEMBERS

Alternate: Shaima Sunil Marketing & Admissions Manager shaima.sunil@mbs-worldwide.ae

Pinsent Masons LLP P.O. Box 115580, Dubai Tel: 04-3739700 Fax: 04-3739701 www.pinsentmasons.com

Virgin Atlantic Airways

Clyde & Co LLP

P.O. Box 114442, Dubai Tel: 04-4060600 Fax: 04-4060655 www.virginatlantic.com

P.O. Box 7001, Dubai Tel: 04-3311102 Fax: 04-3319920 www.clydeco.com

Nominee: Bradley West Country Head – UAE brad.west@fly.virgin.com

Additional: Christopher Mills Partner christopher.mills@clydeco.ae

Alternate: Philip Corfield-Smith Associate Lawyer philip.corfield-smith@pinsentmasons.com

ADDITIONS TO BUSINESS MEMBERS

Prysmian Cables & Systems

ABB Industries L.L.C.

P.O. Box 72125, Dubai Tel: 04-2995883 Fax: 04-2995889 www.prysmian.com

P.O. Box 11070, Dubai Tel: 04-4241900 Fax: 04-4380470 www.abb.com

Nominee: Roberto Comellini General Manager – Middle East roberto.comellini@prysmian.com

Additional: Paul Byrne Manager, Business Development Mob: 050-9002461 paul.byrne@ae.abb.com

R W S Construction Middle East P.O. Box 62425, Dubai Tel: 04-3117167 Fax: 04-3228871 www.shelters.co.uk Alternate: James Davies Managing Director Mob: 050-6591811 jim.davies@rwsmiddleeast.com

Rouse & Co International P.O. Box 31778, Dubai Tel: 04-2247678 Fax: 04-2247658 www.iprights.com Alternate: Sau Lin Haouache Manager Mob: 055-2214900 slhaouache@iprights.com

The Dynamic Zone Consultants P.O. Box 282163, Dubai Tel: 04-3408155 Fax: 04-3408177 www.thedynamiczone.com Alternate: Sawan Karia Business Development Director sawan@thedynamiczone.com

Topaz Energy & Marine P.O. Box 12068, Dubai Tel: 04-8832929 Fax: 04-3391352 www.topazworld.com Alternate: William Jackson Afloat Repairs Manager Mob: 050-5526476 william.jackson@topaz-engineering.com

UBS AG P.O. Box 4530, Dubai Tel: 04-2240044 Fax: 04-2220006 www.ubs.com Alternate: Dalia Ahmed Director, Dubai Branch dalia.ahmed@ubs.com 78 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

Access Made Safe (AMS) P.O. Box 114547, Dubai Tel: 04-3331145 Fax: 04-3330697 www.ams-gcc.com Additional: Robert Forbes Pringle Commercial Director bob@ams-gcc.com

Al Tamimi & Company P.O. Box 9275, Dubai Tel: 04-3641641 Fax: 04-3641777 www.tamimi.com Additional: Fayez Khouri Senior Associate Mob: 050-9566363 f.khouri@tamimi.com

Chapman Freeborn P.O. Box 54619, Dubai Tel: 04-2997029 Fax: 04-2997032 www.chapman-freeborn.com Additional: Tahirjon Choriev Charter Sales Manager Mob: 050-4823146 tohir.choriev@chapman-freeborn.com Additional: Sandra Giles Senior Manager – Passengers Charter Mob: 050-6341860 sandra.gilles@chapman-freeborn.com

CitySpace P.O. Box 50866, Dubai Tel: 04-3511199 Fax: 04-3511030 www.cityspace.ae Additional: Rachel Robinson Business Development Executive Mob: 050-577410 rach@cityspace.ae

Deloitte & Touche (M.E.) P.O. Box 4254, Dubai Tel: 04-3313211 Fax: 04-3314178 www.deloitte.com Additional: Christopher Ward CEO, Corporate Finance Mob: 050-1141512 christopherward@deloitte.com

Everys Solicitors P.O. Box 73310, Dubai Tel: 04-3116546 Fax: 04-3328810 www.everys.ae Additional: Simon Peter Denis Isgar Legal Consultant simon.isgar@everys.co.uk

Exel Middle East (FZE) P.O. Box 54528, Dubai Tel: 04-2045678 Fax: 04-2045679 www.dhl.com Additional: Julie Jarvis V.President, HR, DHL Supply Chain ME Mob: 050-4548528 julie.jarvis@dhl.com

Globaleye P.O. Box 24592, Dubai Tel: 04-3489330 Fax: 04-3489331 www.globaleye.com Additional: Benjamin Alderson VP – Private Wealth Management Mob: 050-1030229 balderson@globaleye.com

Globalink Multimodal Logistics P.O. Box 114806, Dubai Tel: 04-3263388 Fax: 04-3263381 www.globalinkllc.com Additional: Roland Gomez General Manager Group Business Development Mob: 050-6506425 r.roy@globalinkllc.com

Hamptons International Dubai LLC P.O. Box 125400, Dubai Tel: 04-3627788 Fax: 04-3627683 www.hamptons.ae

Additional: James Townsend Mob: 055-7759794 townsendj@hamptons.ae

Additional: Aarti Kotecha Corporate Associate aarti@jamesberrylaw.ae

Additional: Sarah-Jane Carter Marketing Manager Mob: 055-9097053 CarterSJ@hamptons.ae

Jashanmal National Co. LLC

HSBC

P.O. Box 1545, Dubai Tel: 04-2666633 Fax: 04-2629597 www.jashanmalgroup.com

Additional: Parita Misra Client Relationship Manager Mob: 056-1701620 parita.misra@minerva.me

Pinnacle PR P.O. Box 31303, Dubai Tel: 04-4464824 Fax: 04-4298634 www.pinnaclepr.net

P.O. Box 502601, Dubai Tel: 04-4236444 Fax: 04-4236874 www.hsbc.ae

Additional: Peter McElwaine Group President & CEO Mob: 050-6875522 peter@jashanmal.ae

Additional: Selina Haylock Managing Director selina.haylock@pinnaclepr.net

Additional: Nick Levitt Head of Commercial Banking UAE nicklevitt@hsbc.com

Khansaheb Civil Engineering LLC

SAB Media

Additional: Andrew Lawson Dell Head of Global Financing, CEEMEA andrew.dell@hsbcgroup.com Additional: Nigel Gregory Senior Manager, Wealth Management Sales nigelgregory@hsbc.com Additional: James Pearson Head of Assets & Liabilities PPS UAE james.x.pearson@hsbc.com

International House Dubai P.O. Box 72066, Dubai Tel: 04-3213121 Fax: 04-3213555 www.ihdubai.com Additional: Paula Ellis Director Educational Development paula@ihdubai.com Additional: Diane Mitchell ILM Programme manager diane@ihdubai.com

IT-Serve.com P.O. Box 72130, Dubai Tel: 04-3746740 Fax: 04-3353655 www.it-serve.com Additional: Jens Lund Managing Director Mob: 050-6250092 jlund@it-serve.com Additional: Alastair Daniel Findlay Seivewritght alastair@it-serve.com

James Berry & Associates P.O. Box 52294, Dubai Tel: 04-3317552 Fax: 04-3317553 www.jamesberrylaw.com

P.O. Box 2716, Dubai Tel: 04-2857251 Fax: 04-2857539 www.khansaheb.ae Additional: David Duffy Manager, Building Services Division Mob: 050-6536685 david.duffy@khansaheb.ae

Killik & Co. (Middle East & Asia) P.O. Box 506606, Dubai Tel: 04-4250354 Fax: 04-4250355 www.killik.com Additional: Howard Pearce Wealth Planner howard.pearce@killik.com

Knowledge Network (K-Net) P.O. Box 72066, Dubai Tel: 04-3435343 Fax: 04-3213555 www.knet.ae Additional: Nikki Kaur Client Relations Mob: 050- 7651765 nikki@ihdubai.com

Linklaters P.O. Box 506516, Dubai Tel: 04-3695855 www.Linklaters.com Additional: Ewan Cameron Regional Partner ewan.cameron@linklaters.com

Lloyds TSB Bank plc

P.O. Box 502590, Dubai Tel: 04-3642900 Fax: 04-3697593 www.sab-holding.com Additional: Louisa Melling Business Development Manager Mob: 050- 3783201 Louisa.melling@sab-media.com Additional: Fiona Du Vivier Marketing & Events Manager Mob: 050- 2552841 fiona.duvivier@sab-media.com

Sian Events LLC P.O. Box 333459, Dubai Tel: 04-3235865 Fax: 04-3235869 www.sianevents.com Additional: Claire McDonald Creative Director Mob: 050-4561507 claire.mcdonald@sianevents.com

SJ Berwin P.O. Box 24482, Dubai Tel: 04-3131702 Fax: 04-3289911 www.sjberwin.com Additional: Mark Hoyle Partner Litigation Mob: 050-7081660 mark.hoyle@sjberwin.com Additional: Bilkis Ismail Barrister (Senior Associate) Private Equity Mob: 056-6251197 bilkis.ismail@sjberwin.com

P.O. Box 3766, Dubai Tel: 04-3023330 Fax: 04-3422660 www.lloydstsb.ae

Additional: Walid Hamzeh Office Manager/Finance, Administration Mob: 050-4442924 walid.hamzeh@sjberwin.com

Additional: Richard Hextall Head, Personal Banking Mob: 050- 6032995 richard.hextall@lloydstsb.ae

Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Minerva (Middle East) Limited P.O. Box 24075, Dubai Tel: 04-4431174 www.minerva.me

P.O. Box 23092, Dubai Tel: 04-3519201 Fax: 04-3519205 www.trowers.com Additional: Stewart Simpson Partner ssimpson@trowers.com

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 79

BBG NEWS & OFFERS

MUTUAL BENEFITS

Stay updated on all BBG news, events and members’ offers.

NEW WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE The BBG website provides an efficient way to undertake administrative tasks, event bookings and payments. Please ensure the accuracy of your company information, including the relevant industries.

To gain a competitive advantage in the digital space, free training on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook is on offer. britbiz-uae.com

SPONSOR SELECTED EVENTS Members are invited to sponsor the monthly networking evenings, which provide a wonderful opportunity for companies to support the BBG, whilst creating a platform from which they can inform members about their company. These events are relaxed and convivial and lend themselves to sponsorship. Sponsors will be allowed to brand the venue and communicate their message to members by having staff present. There is also an opportunity to sponsor selected Focus Group Events in agreement with the Director of Focus Groups. The cost is subject to individual negotiation based on the specific proposal. If you are interested in sponsoring a BBG event, contact: Andrew Pitt, Director for Business Development businessdevelopment@britbiz-uae.com REGISTER FOR EVENTS The number of members and guests that attend our events is increasing each month. To avoid having to queue for payment, we would like to encourage you to pre-register and pay in advance. The BBG office will help guide you through the log in and online payment facility on our website. If you are unsure of your username and password, contact: Edelma Sabado, Administration and Membership Officer edelma.sabado@britbiz-uae.com

SWING INTO ACTION To sponsor a golf event, contact: Stuart Hurst, Operations Director stuart.hurst@britbiz-uae.com

Sab Media, publishers of The Times & The Sunday Times, offers members an opportunity to advertise their company for FREE upon subscription to the newspaper.

A special Annual Daily Package is offered consisting of a 13-month subscription to The Times & The Sunday Times plus 3 x 1/4 page black & white advertisements in either paper for Dhs2,950. Contact: Charmaine Dylanco, Operations Assistant bbgdubai@britbiz-uae.com All UAE-based and new members will receive a complimentary subscription to Gulf Business and the chance to be enrolled in the Motivate Book Club, receiving a 25 per cent discount on the cover price of over 200 books.

The Blossom Nursery offers Dhs1,000 off a new enrolment for the term or all-year programme only.

Contact bbgdubai@britbiz-uae.com to claim your voucher. theblossomnursery.com Enjoy a 10 per cent discount on English & Arabic language courses at the International House Dubai. SMS IH Dubai to 5269. ihdubai.com New members are eligible for a silver Sirius card from the Jumeirah Group. Current silver Sirius cardholders will be upgraded to a gold card. jumeirah.com/en/Sirius 80 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

ZK Sports International will host the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2011 Executive Club hospitality event on November 13 at the Yas Rotana Ballroom and Yas Marina Circuit: t 8FMDPNF SFDFQUJPO t 1SJWBUF UBCMF PG BU IPTQJUBMJUZ WFOVF t 5BCMF TJHOBHF BOE CSBOEJOH BU UIF WFOVF FOUSBODF t &Y 'PSNVMB DFMFCSJUZ HVFTU TQFBLFST t 'PVS DPVSTF HPVSNFU MVODI BOE QPTU SBDF CVGGFU t 1SFNJVN PQFO CBS UISPVHIPVU UIF FWFOU t 1SJ[F ESBX Option 1: Grandstand seats all 3 days, including concerts in the Yas Arena. Dhs6,941 Option 2: Al Dhiyafa seats all 3 days, including concerts in the Yas Arena and onsite VIP hospitality in a lounge during the racing. Dhs9,365 $POUBDU 0MJWFS ,FOU PMJWFS![L TQPSUT DPN Book a table for at least four persons for brunch Ă la carte or The Full Monty at the Fountain restaurant in MĂśvenpick Bur Dubai and choose from a special selection of desserts, arranged for take-away. ‘Like’ our page on Facebook and receive a further 20% discount. More details on this BBG special can be found in the monthly newsletter. moevenpick-burdubai.com 04-3104320 Keep an eye on the monthly BBG Newsletter for exclusive offers by OffRoad-Zone Garage and Rent-a-Car.

RESTAURANT RESTAURANT

LUXURY LANDING Having conquered Dubai, OKKU’s founders are now hoping to win over British diners with their contemporary Japanese fare.

Rob Morris reports.

A FEARLESS BUSINESSMAN, Markus Thessleff had no illusions about the risks involved when starting an eatery in Dubai amid the global economic meltdown.

Contemporary Japanese restaurant OKKU opened in 2009 against a backdrop of financial uncertainty, as job losses mounted by the day while businesses with debts struggled to stay afloat.

Facing such adversity would prompt most entrepreneurs to wait for the tide to turn, but not Thessleff and co-founder Ramzi Abdul Majeed. The partners were convinced they had the right ingredients to not only survive, but also thrive during tough times.

“To succeed we had to deliver exactly what the market lacked from day one.

There was absolutely no room for error as NOBU and ZUMA had already opened and made their mark,” Thessleff says.

“Restaurant aficionados needed a venue providing a new experience with an edge Markus Thessleff to challenge the existing offerings. It

seemed that OKKU delivered on all fronts with its combination of exceptional quality, style, service and delectable Japanese cuisine.”

Having spent just two years developing OKKU from the ground up, Thessleff and Abdul Majeed are setting their sights on expansion.

The plan, estimated to cost US$23 million, is to launch a restaurant in London before opening in Amman and Jeddah.

An 18,000 sq-ft, multi-level space in a partially-listed Victorian building in Mayfair, London is where the second outlet will be launched by early 2012. Located just round the corner from the Ritz Hotel, it will become one of the city’s hottest openings.

Attention will then turn to launching indoor and al fresco restaurants respectively in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Thessleff reveals the Jeddah venue will be set in a luxurious location overlooking a marina, but remains tight-lipped about the eatery in Amman. He does, however, admit that other Middle Eastern cities are on the radar, including Beirut.

Launching OKKU in Dubai and then taking it global shows that neither Thessleff nor Abdul Majeed adhere to conventional business models; more often than not, successful brands are usually established elsewhere before pitching up in the emirate and not the other way around.

“We were determined to reverse the typical Middle East formula of bringing in an established international franchise and instead chose to develop our own groundbreaking brand that would be expanded from Dubai to metropolises globally.”

The unconventional strategy appears to have worked, with OKKU on the verge of becoming an international brand. And in the coming years, all eyes will turn to London to see if they can enjoy similar success beyond the Middle East.

“Our marketing strategy is two-phase: we will focus on London residents while capitalising on the existing buzz around the Dubai venue, which has already penetrated the upper echelons of London’s social scene, and let people know that our award winning concept will be opening its doors to the discerning London diners and socialites,” Thessleff concludes.

BRITAIN IN BUSINESS | 81

ACHIEVEMENT

CHANGING LIVES Now in its 10th year, Dubai-based charity Gulf For Good has helped provide a better life for hundreds of people around the globe. Robert Morris reports.

THE REVELATION CAME IN 2000 during an arduous bike ride through Cuba for British charity Guide Dogs for the Blind. Aghast at the poverty he saw during the gruelling cycling adventure, Brian Wilkie MBE wondered why he and his companions rode hundreds of kilometres to raise money for a rich country like Britain instead of helping a third world, South American nation.

Determined to aid charities in some of the world’s poorest countries, Wilkie and his friend, Paul Oliver, launched Gulf For Good soon after returning to the UAE from their cycling adventure.

“Paul called me a few months after we got back from Cuba to tell me about raising money for ambulances in Namibia”, says Wilkie, chairman of Gulf For Food.

“He asked whether I had any ideas and I said ‘why not get a group together to climb Kilimanjaro and raise funds that way’ and that’s how the charity started.”

Having spent one year laying the foundations, Wilkie and Oliver launched Gulf For Good in 2001 to arrange fundraising challenges around the globe. Now in its 10th year, the organisation has set-up 33 events throughout the world, raising 82 | BRITAIN IN BUSINESS

Dhs6.5 million for 34 charities, including Lifeline Express, Community Projects Africa and Thomas Barnado House.

Gulf For Good has also raised funds for building and renovating orphanages and schools across the continents. The organisation has also helped provide outdoor play areas, physiotherapy equipment and furniture for the Special Care Centre in Abu Dhabi.

The charity typically holds four challenges a year, with one taking place in the Gulf and the rest being held anywhere from Asia to Africa and South America. This year, members will climb Everest Base Camp Challenge; embark on a five-day, 450km cycling tour around all of the UAE’s seven emirates; and commit themselves to a bike, kayaking, bamboo rafting and hiking adventure taking in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Sabah Tea plantation and Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia.

In particular, Wilkie is relishing the UAE bike ride, which will help raise money for a school in Ajman. “We’ll finish the challenge in Dubai during the UAE’s 40th National Day on December 2, so we hope lots of people from other Gulf countries will come along and get involved,” he says.

Joining the charity to embark on global adventures is a life-changing experience, according to Wilkie. The Briton says most members sign up to get fit and help raise money for worthy causes, while others want to meet new people. Whatever the reason, all are touched by the camaraderie and group spirit that exists between members enbroiled in a physically and mentally draining challenge.

“If you’re cycling with someone for five days, or climbing to Everest base camp in 12, you really get to know the people you’re with, and they could be a Saudi banker, British teacher or Indian housewife,” Wilkie says. “Everyone works together to raise funds and these challenges are not easy.

“Just our training walks in Dubai could be the length of Jumeirah Beach Road. If you’re doing that and then taking part in challenges with the same people, you get to know them as you’re together all day and then eating and camping with each other at night.”

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