Steve Wagner has relocated in his job from London to Dubai. Here Steve, Corporate Finance Manager at Lamprell, an oil and gas construction company listed on the London Stock Exchange, provides an insight into living and working thousands of miles from home
What do you most enjoy about living and working in Dubai?The quality of life. I relocated to Dubai 12 months ago and while working hours are not dissimilar to an advisory role in London, living in Dubai gives you the opportunity to unwind on the beach at the weekend and enjoy outdoor sports such as floodlit golf and tennis. That said, temperatures in July and August can 
reach 50 degrees Celsius in Dubai therefore don’t forget to pack the factor 40!
What do you miss most about the UK?My family and friends. Fortunately keeping in touch is now much easier through technology such as Skype, making time apart easier. I also miss the buzz of the working atmosphere in London which is hard to replicate anywhere in the world.
What are the three most important pieces of advice you would give to anyone going to work abroad?
- Make the most of the opportunity by exploring cities and countries around your location
- Use the first couple of months to make new friends – this will make it much easier to become settled in your new home
- If in doubt, take a chance – many people become overawed by the risks of moving overseas, however, assuming the opportunity is right for your chosen career path, often staying in your comfort zone can represent a bigger risk. If it doesn’t work out you can always move back.
What do you feel is the most important lesson you are learning from working overseas?Working overseas is giving me great experience of conducting business in a different culture. There are many additional factors to consider when undertaking a corporate transaction in the Middle East. Issues such as local sponsorship, company ownership and employee regulations differ greatly from the UK. Experiencing these challenges first hand provides a great platform for becoming a truly international adviser.
Steve was a double winner at this year’s CISI Annual Awards, which recognises top exam performers. He was the first winner of the ICAEW/ CISI Diploma in corporate Finance. Steve also secured the prize for Corporate Finance Strategy & Advice – one of two exams that form the Diploma.
What advice would other expats give about working abroad? Let us know your comments.