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

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!

Kilian Cawley

Trade Director (UK & Ireland)

kilian.cawley@ocoglobal.com

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.

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

The main change has been the adoption of virtual communication platforms, I can now explain the positives and negatives of all the platforms. I have not been travelling which has been a huge change and I really miss the personal and social interactions with clients. I think CV19 has definitely changed how I work for the better. As in the future I will adopt a more hybrid version of work. Probably working smarter, combining virtual meetings, remote working, office visits and travel in a more productive and efficient way. I think this will benefit international trade in the future as it has accelerated the adoption of technology and created better efficiencies.

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

In Ireland on Friday’s I am generally on calls or visiting clients. On Saturday mornings I enjoy getting outside into the country, kayaking and hiking in the local mountains with my kids.

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

I am looking forward to getting on an aeroplane with my family and going somewhere, anywhere!

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?

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.

Zehra Fattah

Senior Project Manager

zehra.fattah@ocoglobal.com

Origin country:

Germany with Turkish roots.

How long in the UAE?

10 years

Sectors covered:

ICT, Financial Services, Tech, Tourism, Education and Manufacturing

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

Throughout my career I have always worked very hard, and I am blessed that every position was a steppingstone for the next one to come.

My role in a professional services firm has taught me the fundamentals of working in a regulatory environment, supporting investors to set foothold in global jurisdictions. I had closely worked with the public sector back then and joining a government entity after this work experience had been a natural career progression for me. It gave me the opportunity to develop business in order to attract investment opportunities to a respective country.

Other than thoroughly enjoying working with clients from all over the world and getting to know their customs and culture, I took a particular interest in economic development and FDI and how our work could have a positive impact on the ecosystem by attracting foreign companies to create more job roles and ensuring future stability and growth for the respective country. This aspect of working in the sector of Trade and Investment inspires me the most as I believe that through our joint efforts, we can make a difference for future generations to come.

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

Having represented the Bahrain Economic Development Board during the GITEX exhibition in the UAE has been very exciting. As part of a vibrant team I was officially representing the agency at the Kingdoms dedicated Pavilion, and besides having organised and participated in several very interesting government delegations and events, I got the chance to meet and collaborate with a number of innovative companies, that now shape the ICT industry with their recent innovations.

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

Out of experience, the most valuable advise I can give a company looking to expand their operations to the Middle East, is to do sufficient research and get to know the environment. I understand that this is not always easy especially with the most recent travel restrictions but there are a number of companies that can be valuable partners to support the transition, and I would advise to utilize this as regional knowledge and ‘know- how’ is crucial and investing in this will most certainly pay off in the long run.

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

Those who know me, will know that I have been an advocate for remote working settings since a while now, as I believe this has the potential to contribute significantly to the efficiency and cost effectiveness of an organisation. Most of my work is now done remotely and looking at other companies around me I believe that this had a positive effect on the performance of an entity. Whereas I do miss physically interacting with colleagues and clients, I am happy to see that so many companies have taken the leap to offer solutions to make our day to day live easier and still be connected.

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

Hiking in the Northern Emirates or at the beach.

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

Europe to visit our families as I have missed spending time with them.

Ricky Shah

Consulting Manager

ricky.shah@ocoglobal.com

Origin country:

United Kingdom

How long in the UAE?

Couple of weeks and counting

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

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

I’ve managed to successfully deliver complex pieces of work with multiple stakeholders remotely, so it’s proved that co-location doesn’t automatically equate to success. That said, those occasions where I have been able to meet clients face-to-face have reinforced the value of physical interaction

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

playing PlayStation – I am still a kid at heart!

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

Thailand – it’s the perfect mix of friendly people, wonderful food and beautiful scenery split across rainforest, beaches and bustling urban life

Rana Abu Nemeh

Project Manager

Rana.Nemeh@bcbuae.com

Origin country:

Jordan

How long in the UAE?

3 Months

Sectors covered:

Tech, Education, Healthcare, Aviation, International Development, NGOs

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

Having been born and bred in Jordan, I was exposed to the challenges facing developing nations, from socio-economic injustices, poverty, and lack of opportunity despite talents’ availability, just to name a few. This has driven me to pursue a career that helps me understand the incentives, barriers, and levers for change rather than relying on assumptions or conventional wisdom.

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

As a Project Coordinator for Halcyon Incubator leading international social economic leaders, I managed to motivate a diverse set of entrepreneurs from around the globe to disrupt humanitarian action for the better. To do this, I used the innovation cycle to design, scale and iterate solutions to the sectors most complex challenges. Starting with research and analysis to identify the exact problems we were seeking to solve, and facilitating ideation sessions and design sprints, we implemented big and small agile projects to reach our goals. Using this approach, I successfully increased the effectiveness of one of the fastest angel network funds in the world to release funding in less than 72 hours, developed new systems to bring on more community-based organizations, and made governance and decision making more consistent across the Network.

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

The Arab market is one of the largest with many blooming businesses and a great geographical location that serves an access to European, Asian, and African markets, while investment policies can seem challenging, but they are not impossible, with the right network, and the help of professionals in the region, the experience will be highly rewarding.

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

It increased the organization’s agility drove it to become more nimble, adaptive, and futuristic.

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

Packing my beach bag to get some vitamin sea.

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

Georgia, fond by the mountains and the cold weather

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.

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.

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?

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!

Nitin Antony

Analyst

nitin.antony@ocoglobal.com

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

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

I had lost my previous job during the Covid period, But I didn’t stop there, it helped me grow as a person, to look beyond boundaries, and get out of my comfort zone. Dug deep into e-commerce and successfully had a store up and running during that phase.

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

lifting weights at the gym and just vibe with some buddies.

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

Masai Mara has been on my bucket list for a while now, but I would like to visit India to meet someone special.