Fostering Relationships, Strengthening Global Connections, and Leaving a Lasting Impact in the United Arab Emirates.

At Ascot Privé, we’ve always believed that meaningful global work begins with relationships—not with transactions or quick introductions. Recently, our team spent time with an esteemed Emirati client group in Abu Dhabi. It was a meeting shaped by respect, cultural awareness, and genuine intention—precisely the elements that matter most when working across borders.

My own relationship with the UAE goes back more than 25 years. Abu Dhabi, in particular, has been a place I’ve returned to throughout my career—sometimes for work, sometimes to reconnect with people who have influenced my professional journey. I’ve seen the region evolve, strengthen, and set new global standards while keeping its traditions at the centre. That combination of progress and heritage is precisely why the UAE holds such significance for so many of us who operate internationally.

This recent visit reaffirmed a lesson I learned here decades ago: delivering at a high level matters, but listening matters more. When working in the Gulf—or anywhere with a strong cultural identity—knowing how to communicate, how to observe, and how to respect local expectations is what builds long-term partnerships. It’s not about rushing to present capability; it’s about understanding the people behind the decisions.

One of the biggest mistakes firms make when approaching regions like the UAE is moving too quickly. They meet someone once and immediately press forward with pitches or proposals. That isn’t how sustainable relationships are built here, and it isn’t how we operate. Taking the time to understand someone’s values, priorities, and vision says far more than a prepared deck ever could.

During our time in Abu Dhabi, the client team wasn’t simply interested in our services—they were interested in who we are, how we think, and how we behave when the spotlight isn’t on us. That level of interest is a compliment, and it’s a reminder of why rapport must always come before business. In return, we invested the time to genuinely understand them. That mutual approach forms the basis of relationships that last—not because they’re pushed forward, but because they’re built correctly from the beginning.

Our philosophy doesn’t change with geography. Whether meeting an executive in London, a private office in Paris, or an advisor in Riyadh, we start with the relationship. We pay attention. We respect their culture and communication style. We arrive prepared—not with a proposal, but with awareness.

And although we support clients across the UAE, we are not permanently based there. We operate globally, travelling where needed, strengthening relationships in key regions, and ensuring our presence is purposeful when we are on the ground. For us, being present doesn’t mean being local full-time—it means showing up when it matters, maintaining respect for the region, and staying connected long after the visit ends.

At Ascot Privé, our work spans relocations, travel oversight, risk advisory, and private coordination, but the foundation behind all of it remains the same: trust. Trust built over time, through intention, consistency, and genuine interaction.

The UAE will always be a place we hold in high regard—a region where relationships carry weight and where personal rapport continues to shape meaningful partnerships. Our visits are purposeful, our engagements are sincere, and our commitment to the people we meet remains long after we’ve travelled on to the next destination.

If your own travels or work bring you to Abu Dhabi or anywhere across the Emirates, we’re always open to connecting when the opportunity aligns naturally—no pressure, no agenda. Just conversation, respect, and the chance to build something genuine.

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Glen Burton

Chief Executive Officer

For confidential inquiries or to learn more about how Ascot Privé can support you, your family, or your organisation, please contact:

globaldesk@ascotprive.com

New York: (+1) 646 499 3680

Abu Dhabi: (+971) 52 726 4101

Ascot Privé is a global advisory firm built around four integrated pillars — Risk Consulting & Advisory, Protective Support & Integration, Training & Readiness, and Stress Testing & Assessments. We deliver discreet, expert led support across residence, travel, and business, and remain trusted for our oversight at high-level events worldwide.