Joe Hepworth
Founder & CEO
Founder & CEO
Head of Consulting
Consultant
Analyst - Trade & Investment
Trade & Marketing Manager
Admin & Project Support Assistant
Consultant
Consultant
Consultant
Analyst - Trade & Investment
Trade Consultant
Consultant
Senior Manager
Trade Director (UK & Ireland)
Senior Consultant
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.
Origin country:
United Kingdom
How long in the UAE?
2 years
Sectors covered:
Government and third sectors, including central and local government, transport, healthcare, trade and development agencies – I’ve worked in traditional management consulting roles, helping to plan and deliver major programmes in the UK and Middle East
What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?
Economic development has been a long-held interest for me, reaching back to my days at University – I love this area because it’s a tangible way to impact on peoples lives at both the macro (by working with governments to define strategy and policy) and micro (by helping empower individuals and companies through new skills and opportunities) levels
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?
I supported the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy in Qatar prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2022 – it was a fantastic experience and great to see the inner workings of a world-renowned major event. I also had the pleasure of creating a Project Management Office for the Marketing Department, working as part of the Local Organising Committee for the FIFA Club World Cup 2020
What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?
Understand the local cultures, and be prepared to bring the best of your international experience and adapt it to local needs.
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.
Origin country:
India
How long in the UAE?
Been in the UAE since 1997
Sectors covered:
Oil & Gas, Security & Defence, TMT, F&B, Healthcare, E-commerce
What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?
The opportunity to work with international companies from different sectors; gain knowledge from experts from different fields; and the excitement to help them grow within the GCC.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?
Every project is unique and exciting, But I cant deny the fact, working with Military and defence companies was intriguing, as it’s something you don’t come across on a daily basis.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?
3 P’s – Patience, Perseverance and Persistence
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.
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.
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!
Origin country:
Kazakhstan
How long in the UAE?
2 years
Sectors covered:
Financial Services (banking and investment),
Energy and natural resources (oil, gas, and renewable energy),
Manufacturing (automotive and industrial products),
Retail and consumer goods (food and beverage, and e-commerce),
Public sector (government agencies, non-profits, and international organizations),
Transportation (aviation, maritime, and rail).
What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?
I am passionate about business development and exploring new opportunities. I find Trade and Investment to be a fascinating field as it involves understanding global markets, identifying trade and investment opportunities, and supporting the growth and expansion of businesses. I am particularly interested in the role that Trade and Investment plays in promoting economic development and improving people’s lives. This, combined with my curiosity and drive to continuously learn and grow, inspired me to pursue a career in this field.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?
The most exciting project I’ve worked on in the last year was an Investor Attraction Competition Policy. I was part of a team that was tasked with creating a comprehensive policy aimed at attracting foreign investment and promoting business growth in a particular region. The project involved extensive market research, stakeholder engagement, and policy analysis to ensure the policy was in line with best practices and the latest developments in the field of investment promotion. I found the project to be both challenging and rewarding, as I was able to apply my knowledge and skills to make a real impact and help drive economic development in the region.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region offers a wealth of opportunities for businesses across various industries. To succeed in this market, it’s important to conduct thorough research and have a clear understanding of the local culture, regulations, and business practices.
Additionally, businesses entering the MENA region should be flexible and prepared to adapt to the local environment, as business norms can vary greatly from country to country. Building relationships and establishing trust with local stakeholders is also crucial in this market, so it’s important to invest time in developing strong networks and connections.
Overall, my best advice would be to approach the MENA market with a long-term perspective, be proactive in seeking out opportunities, and remain patient and persistent in your efforts.
Origin country:
Kazakhstan
How long in the UAE?
1 year
Sectors covered:
Investment, Agriculture, Financial services, Trade and Environment
What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?
An exciting opportunity to make a substantial impact on economies, particularly in emerging markets. I am eager to support high-level decision-makers, foster economic development, and contribute to global connectivity. This field allows me to combine my passion for business with my desire to create positive change on both local and international scales.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?
Developing 10x FDI attraction strategy for DIFC.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?
I would advise obtaining a deep cultural understanding of the region and thoroughly studying the legal and regulatory aspects. Doing so will provide invaluable insights and help you navigate the complexities of conducting business in the Middle East successfully.
Origin country:
Mali
How long in the UAE?
7 years (counting)
Sectors covered:
Healthcare, F&B, Education & Learning, Construction, Automotive, Aerospace, Hospitality, Sports and Fashion.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?
I was born for it! Intrinsically, I have had a passion for international relations and markets since I was a kid – to be fair when I was 11 years old, my dream job was to become an “ambassador” which I’d believe was strongly linked to my organic love for interpersonal relationships, multiculturalism, and travel.
Then, I grew up being a perpetual learner and researcher – about anything and everything there is to know from: arts, books, environment, management, or finance – topped with a background in International Business, Trade and Investment feel like it was designed for my professional journey. It is fascinating to love your job beyond the day-to-day and get to enjoy how every single project is unique and as interesting as the next.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?
With most governments diversifying their economy, I have worked on some super interesting projects for a trade mission based on Entertainment, Arts and Fashion industries.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?
Be ready to embrace diversity. It should help to understand collectivist cultures and time complexities (hint: Trompenaars and Hofstede).
How has CV19 changed your job in the last 6 months?
A lot of videoconferences and hybrid events (virtual and physical) – Evidently, it has been a new-to-all learning curve.
Finish this sentence. On Friday mornings, you can usually find me…
Reading a (physical) book while enjoying a good morning.
When travel opens up again, where’s the first place you want to go to & why?
Covid-19 didn’t help as my bucket list keeps extending and all continents are inclusive. Nevertheless, a trip to see my favourite & most loving great-grandmother in Senegal was my plan before the covid-19 lockdown. Currently? I would say anywhere in the world for the culture and nature (let’s say Bali or Kenya?)
Origin country:
New Zealand
How long in the UAE?
2 Years
Sectors covered:
FMCG, Primary Exports, Pharmaceuticals
What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?
Trade and Investment provides an exciting opportunity for travel, education and knowledge of a broad range of critical topics that will be applicable across industries. The Middle East, India and Africa are currently going through a significant increase in Trade and Investment activity. The ability to develop markets from infancy and grow them into thriving business hubs inspires me.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?
Assisting exporters across a range of industries grow into the Middle East. Working on investment projects across Africa and focusing on how investment can improve the lives of those in the areas in which you are seeking to create a business.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?
Throw yourself into the culture and learn to engage in ways that they do. How business is conducted in one part of the world is very different to the Middle East. The Middle East provides amazing opportunities for trade and investment, those who engage in the culture and show a genuine interest to learn and engage will succeed.
Origin country:
France
How long in the UAE?
I will be moving to UAE at the end of August.
Sectors covered:
Cybersecurity, Agriculture & Consumer Goods
What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?
I have more a consulting background and I am working for the consulting division in the Dubai office too. I would say that I like discovering different projects and never be bored with new challenges.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?
I would say that the most exciting project I worked on last year was for Extrahop. It was very interesting to explore the subject of cybersecurity, which has experienced strong growth with covid. I was just back from Boston University, so it was pleasant to work for an American client.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?
I will be able to answer this question in a few months I guess 😉
Origin country:
India
How long in the UAE?
As resident since August 2023 however I have been in the region since 2014 and traveled to UAE often for work.
Sectors covered:
Manufacturing (including advanced manufacturing), financial services, fashion and entertainment, tourism (including religious tourism – Hajj and Umrah), education, healthcare, heavy metals, agriculture, labor market, logistics, security, construction.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?
I would slightly modify the question and say that I chose economic development as my career rather than trade and investment. Late Kofi Annan once said, “Economic development is more than a monetary equation; it is a force that can eradicate poverty, empower communities, and create a world where prosperity is shared by all.” These words align with economic consulting’s mission of fostering inclusive and sustainable progress. Growing up in a developing country exposed me to profound inequality and inspired me to choose a career that is committed towards creating an impactful, progressive and inclusive society. Economic-based consulting is a pledge to global impact, demanding a strategic mindset and dedication to sustainable growth. Consultants in this field act as catalysts for progress, reshaping institutions for prosperity and in the process helping individuals to attain ambitious goals. This career path offered me the opportunity that surpasses individual success and create a better society for future generations.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?
I helped the Fashion Commission of Saudi Arabia to identify flagship investment opportunities to build a solid foundation for the sector and encourage private sector to benefit from the tremendous investment returns in Saudi fashion industry. I developed the framework for identifying sustainable investment opportunities and prioritizing them for greater impact. I also defined the role of the Commission as the sector regulator in ensuring alignment with national priorities while developing highly attractive investment memorandums.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?
Typically, investors analyze the supply-demand dynamics of a business, identify gaps, and formulate a market entry plan. However, in the Middle East, a crucial third aspect often overlooked is the government’s robust support ecosystem. This support has proven instrumental for investments, whether from large multinational corporations or Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are currently undergoing a significant transformation, recognizing the necessity of economic diversification. Substantial investments have been made to cultivate a business-friendly environment, focusing on infrastructure development, enhancing capabilities, and streamlining the ease and cost of doing business. This strategic focus positions the Middle East as a highly lucrative region for international (and local) businesses to capitalize on returns, especially in sectors that are currently in the early stages of development. The next two decades hold immense potential for businesses looking to establish a foothold and thrive in this evolving economic landscape.
Origin country:
Ireland
How long in the UAE?
Thanks to Covid virtually 1.5 years, supporting the Team from Ireland
Sectors covered:
I cover a wide range of sectors, including public and private. My main focus is with small and medium enterprises from all sectors who are innovative and ambitious.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?
With my background in Business Banking supporting companies to grow and my own experience as an owner of a small company, I know what it is like to be a Managing Director or a CEO, the challenges they face daily, and how crucial international trade is to successful companies. I wanted to use my experience to help companies grow internationally and add real practical value to our clients international growth ambitions.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?
I have been lucky to have worked on so many projects in the past year. Despite the difficulties and uncertainties, the most exciting was a start-up company called CameraMatics based in Dartford and Dublin, who despite the international pandemic and inability to travel, continued to work with the BCB & OCO Global to assist with their international growth strategy by using our team of experts on the ground in our international offices to represent them in new markets, including Joe and our team in UAE.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?
The advice is simple, get advice! Get advice from experts in the market, get market research completed, data and intelligence is valuable, develop a clear strategy for your company a plan is essential, know what your value proposition is and who your customers are, have sufficient financial resources available, have patience and make connections and get more advice. The BCB & OCO Global Team in UAE should be the first step on your Middle East business journey and your partner throughout.
Origin country:
Lebanon
How long in KSA?
Over a year in KSA
Sectors covered:
My experience sits mainly within foreign direct investment (including investment attraction and policy development) and ICT sectors within major public entities in the EU and MENA regions.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Trade & Investment?
During my Master studies I came across the global business and investment course which inspired me. I believe consulting and specially within the economic development sector is a rewarding journey where I can make a real impact. I’m constantly connecting with communities, businesses, and governments at all levels. Professionals in this industry come from diverse backgrounds, creating a vibrant community.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?
I recently engaged in a project for one of the major public entities in the Kingdom related to investment attractions. The objective of the project was to assess the challenges faced by first market movers in the Kingdom and to update the current investment regulations in order to offer an enhanced ecosystem.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone interested in doing business in the Middle East?
The Middle East is the “New Europe”, currently thriving economically. It is a region known for its rapid changes; therefore it is important to be adaptable and ready to adjust your business strategy as needed. This includes being open to innovation. At the end of the day starting a business in any new market requires passion, patience, and perseverance. Moreover, even within the Middle East, there is a diversity of different cultures, languages, and business practices. It’s essential to understand the local market dynamics, cultural nuances, and business etiquette before venturing into the region.