Team - British Centres for Business

The BCB’s in-house regional trade and investment specialists bring together a unique collection of expertise and more than 70 years combined GCC experience.

Meet the Team

Vineetha Sony

Business Operations Manager / Senior Project Manager

Dr. James Wilson

Business Development Manager (Mintel Middle East)

Joe Hepworth

Founder & CEO

joe.hepworth@bcbuae.com

Origin country:

Yorkshire

How long in the UAE?

12 years

What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?

I spent 8 years in container shipping after university so I have always worked in trade. It’s rewarding being involved in making international business work.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?

It’s a shame that so many of our projects are confidential! But some of the companies we’ve worked on for Capita Scaling Partners are very cool: the current one – London Dynamics – is really interesting.

What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?

Apart from ‘talk to the BCB?’ No, have patience & persistence. It’s not the sort of market where business falls into your lap. Be prepared to chip away; success will take time.

How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?

In a way, not at all. We’re working with our local & international clients just as we were before, now only through the medium of Zoom & Teams. I think the biggest factor is not being able to get the whole BCB team together. I really miss that.

Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…

…driving my daughters somewhere! Or, if I’m lucky, Stand Up Paddle boarding off the beach.

When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?

Yorkshire, of course.

Vineetha Sony

Business Operations Manager / Senior Project Manager

vineetha.sony@bcbuae.com

Origin country:

India

How long in the UAE ?

14 years

Sectors covered:

Construction, Healthcare, Engineering & Manufacturing, Oil & Gas

What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?

It was a happy accident! My background is in Literature and Journalism, but the world of Trade and Investment fascinated me as it is such a dynamic field. I love that no two projects are the same and how many pieces of a puzzle come together when I am supporting companies and Export Development Organisations develop their investment and export strategy.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?

The investment arm of the Dubai Government has developed an initiative to build up a wholesale trade hub across 3 specific sectors given Dubai’s centrality. I am working with them to develop their marketing strategy and help attract anchor tenants to this space.

What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?

You have to keep at it! Doing business in the UAE needs a fair amount of time, money, energy and patience. Take your time to build out connections in-country and of course reach out to us to guide you through the journey.

How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?

This virus has led me to stay still, evaluate and think differently. Over the course of the last few months, countries have adapted to a new way of living, learning and doing business. And so we have had to innovate and develop new means to continue supporting our clients.

Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…

…multitasking; curled up on my sofa/ bed with an audio book and looking for recipes to experiment on over the weekend!

When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?

Heading home to India to see my father and father- in-law who turned 70 and 80 (respectively) and I missed both their milestone birthdays which was this year!

Wuraola Ogundimu

Trade Manager

wuraola.ogundimu@bcbuae.com

Origin country:

Nigeria

How long in the UAE?

6 years and counting

Sectors covered:

Food & Beverage and Consumer & Retail

What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?

The passion started growing us for me as I watched my mum try to do business. I never realised how that impacted me until I moved out of my home country and watched other SME’s try to survive. I instinctively want to help as I had supported my mother.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?

I don’t have a favourite. Each project is unique with its challenges.

What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?

Keep knocking; the door will open

How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?

Having fewer interactions has been challenging, but I keep pushing through with many things now online.

Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…

…at home; in front of the TV, with a cup of hot cocoa.

When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?

Did you mean Maldives, Bahamas or anywhere exotic?

James Maley-Craig

Trade Manager

james.maley-craig@bcbuae.com

Origin country:

New Zealand

How long in the UAE?

30 years

Sectors covered:

Healthcare, Life Sciences, Fintech & Technology

What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?

My father, he started the INI office in Dubai.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?

Capita Scaling Partners – supporting their portfolio companies in the Tech sector.

What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?

It can be a very competitive market, research is crucial to finding your niche.

How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?

As one of the sectors I look after is Healthcare & Life Sciences, I have been very busy since C19.

Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…

…Dune bashing in the desert.

When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?

Oman. Beautiful country with lots to explore.

May Bseiso

Incubator & Trade Manager

may.bseiso@bcbuae.com

Origin country:

Jordan

How long in the UAE?

5 years

Sectors covered:

Business set-up, Consumer & Retail and Tech

What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?

The fact that it’s such a versatile field that covers so many sectors on a global scale.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?

A consultancy project for Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) whereby we provided lead generation and support on different sector propositions.

What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?

You have to be “here” as a lot of the business depends on building relations and having face to face meetings.

How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?

Except for the working from home part… not much has changed really. We have, however, found new ways to be efficient and managed to find alternative ways to do business.

Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…

…before Covid? On the beach!

When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?

Jordan.. home!

Komal Noronha

Admin & Project Support Assistant

komal.noronha@bcbuae.com

Origin country:

India

How long in the UAE?

26 years

What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?

Opportunity to be a constant learner and being able to get exposure in various multiple sectors.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?

There is no specific project to describe, but my role as a project support assistant always gives me an opportunity to learn something new on the projects that I work along with the Trade Managers.

What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?

It’s a competitive market so one needs to have the time, put in a lot of hard work, have the patience for things to materialize & money to invest.

How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?

Apart from working from home, business has been the usual for us. In fact there has been no compromise on the way the whole team works together to get where we have to.

Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…

…relaxing, catching up on some of my favourite TV shows/series, cooking.

When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?

India for sure, to meet and be with my parents.

Abbey Salako

Trade & Marketing Manager

abbey.salako@bcbuae.com

Origin country:

Nigeria / UK

How long in the UAE?

2 years

Sectors covered:

Construction, Healthcare, Building materials and Consumer & Retail

What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?

Always been interested in connecting with people from all walks of life and working globally, whilst being locally stationed.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?

There have been a few but would have to say, the redevelopment of the BCB’s marketing collateral (website, brochure, etc) as well as working on District 2020 (legacy project of Expo).

What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?

Patience & perseverance! The market is rewarding but lots of hard work is required before one can start reaping the benefits of one’s efforts.

How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?

Marketing has come to the forefront of my daily role. More presence on social media as well as exponential increase in the number of Teams/ Zoom meetings. Of course, demand and delivery of webinars with different partners & clients.

Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…

…catching up on my favourite TV shows & series. With the weather getting cooler in the UAE, then it will be traversing across to different places in Dubai.

When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?

Somewhere in Africa. In need of some greenery and wild life scenery.

Amjed Al-Ja’fari

Consultant

amjed.aljafari@ocoglobal.com

Origin country:

Jordan

How long in the UAE?

315 days, 12 hours, 5 minutes and 13 seconds; in short, almost a year!

Sectors covered:

Food & Drink, Retail, Manufacturing & Engineering, Technology and Energy

What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?

These pillars represent the essential factors for economic growth in economies, especially developing ones. Being part of making that happen is rewarding.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?

All are! But when it comes to one, developing the investment attraction strategy for the Saudi Industrial Clusters under the Saudi Vision 2030 and aiding in the execution.

What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?

Despite having a multitude of markets, when looked at as a whole, the Middle East is still in its infancy. It is a market that is still developing. It is driven by Millennials and Generation Z, whom are brining exciting changes to the market. So, I would say, watch out for the consumers, culture, diversity and continues development.

How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?

It has broaden my thoughts on how the future will look like. It allowed me to reflect on how we should be prepared for the future. But in terms of cohesion, efficiency and productivity, we’re the best at that!

Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…

…still in my bed! No just kidding! When the weather is nice, on the beach, but during the summer, having breakfast by the Creek.

When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?

Is there any place better than home?

Danilo Batinga

Consultant

danilo.batinga@ocoglobal.com

Origin country:

Philippines

How long in the UAE?

1 year + 4 months

What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?

You can call me a generalist who wants to cover multiple different sectors or themes and Trade & Investment is one of those areas that allows me to do that.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?

Worked with a government agency in Saudi to improve pilgrims experience when doing Hajj and Umrah

What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?

With UAE’s diverse people and culture, it is very important to understand your market to build an effective operating business model.

How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?

It really gave me a time to reflect and step back – see what’s going on, what I’m missing at. I think this is the best time to repurpose or redirect yourself towards your lifelong goals.

Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…

…looking for a breakfast place in Dubai Marina

When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?

Manila, Manila. I keep coming back to Manila.

Diana Takorabet

Consultant

diana.takorabet@ocoglobal.com

Origin country:

France & Algeria

How long in the UAE?

1 year and a half!

What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?

I am passionate about international relations and doing business across borders is one of the best way to bring people together.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?

I have helped provide strategic analysis on industry sectors for the Saudi Arabian Inward Investment Authority (SAGIA) to help Saudi Arabia diversify its economy away from oil, marking a new era for the country and its people.

What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?

Every country in the region has its own way of doing business. What is acceptable in Dubai, might not be in Doha or Amman. Considering the Middle East as a group of markets instead of one single market is essential.

How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?

I’ve been even more grateful for not only loving my job but also working in a field where remote work is acceptable. Unfortunately, not everyone has this chance.

Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…

…at the beach or somewhere else, but certainly not at home!

When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?

I think I will visit neighbouring countries!

Noha Aldhahri

Consultant

noha.aldhahri@ocoglobal.com

Origin country:

Saudi Arabia

How long in the UAE?

2 years

Sectors covered:

Healthcare, Life Sciences and Technology

What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?

It’s the most dynamic field out there allowing you to get exposure and insight into a multitude of fields and people from various backgrounds!

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?

Industrial Cluster’s Investment Attraction Programme (Saudi Arabia)

What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?

Pick up on some Arabic words and phrases! “Ahlan” (Hello) to get you started!

How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?

It has really emphasised the need for establishing a strategic work/life balance.

Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…

Journaling, reading or indulging in on some TV time (currently re-watching The Office).

When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?

I would travel to Saudi to visit my family.

Dr. James Wilson

Business Development Manager (Mintel Middle East)

jwilson@mintel.com

Origin country:

N. Ireland

How long in the UAE?

2 months

What inspired you to pursue a career in Research – Trade & Investment?

To me research is about finding answers. As such, this career path has always appealed to me because I have always wanted to find answers. Now that my career in research has evolved into business development, it’s about helping others to find answers to the questions they face.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?

Examining the impact of Brexit on the island of Ireland from a consumer perspective. Quite a challenging project as it was a very fluid situation.

What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?

Embrace the diversity of the many different cultures and ways of doing business in the Middle East.

How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?

More Zoom meetings and less face-to-face interactions

Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…

Having only recently moved from the UK, this was usually in the office. But now Friday’s are the weekend, on the beach enjoying some well earned R&R

When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?

Anywhere in Asia. I have never been and have always been fascinated by the history and culture this part of the world.