Why senior UK talent keeps choosing Dubai
This piece was originally shared on LinkedIn in response to recurring conversations with founders and leadership teams around this topic.
I’m publishing it here as part of an ongoing body of thinking around restaurant strategy, market entry, and operational decision-making.
Alasdair Haynes, founder of Aquis Exchange, has relocated to Dubai after a £10m exit. Another name on a list that keeps growing.
From an operational perspective, this trend has fundamentally changed recruitment. In fact, I can't remember the last time we approached someone in the UK about relocating here and they said no.
Dubai’s appeal goes beyond finance. Strong infrastructure, quality of life, safety, and global connectivity. The ecosystem here rewards ambition and supports people who want to build and live well in one place.
For hospitality specifically, recruitment has never been easier. People aren't just curious - they're actively looking to move. That shift happened gradually, then suddenly.
Headlines focus on millionaires and tax, but the reality on the ground is broader. Operators, mid-level executives, founders, and families are choosing to build here because the fundamentals are in their favour.
The UK is an exceptional country, but a career doesn't have to mean staying in one place - especially when the alternative enables growth rather than working against it.