Celebrating A Special Relationship: UAE & UK

Captured in a very special collection of images by the UAE’s Royal Photographer, the late Noor Ali Rashid, we get a unique glimpse into the world of the first British Political Agents and expatriate professionals stationed in the Emirates. Rare photographs depict their lives and those of their families helping to establish the earliest expatriate communities, and working together with Emiratis to build the foundation blocks of the modern cities we see today. We witness the first UAE students leaving their home for University in England and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s II historic state visit to the UAE in 1979, a milestone like many others in the book that define this important relationship.

Spanning the decades since the Perpetual Maritime Truce of 1853, the discovery of oil in the late 1960s and since the formation of the UAE federation in 1971, we discover how bilateral trade, diplomacy and private commerce has evolved alongside the co-development of significant educational, health and cultural assets in the UAE. We see how British architectural expertise has helped to build some of the Emirates’ iconic structures.

In the present day we reveal how investment from entities such as ADIA and Godolphin are creating opportunities for all, while those communities that settled in the UAE all those years ago continue to expand and flourish. We meet royalty, nation builders and captains of industry as well as sports fans and all those ordinary people that hold together across the geographical divide to form an accord that celebrates the very best of UK and the UAE.

Published with the support of

United Arab Emirates & United Kingdom

Celebrating a SpeCial relationShip

Foreword by British Prime Minister David Cameron

Preface by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

By Royal Photographer Noor Ali Rashid

No

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Acclaim for Royal Photographer Noor Ali Rashid’sprevious seven titles in ‘The Royal Collection’

Documenting the birth, growth and prosperity of our nation, he has worked with integrity, with sensitivity and with honesty and recorded the miraculous development of this country. his photographs are important for

their historical record and for the excellence and high standard they set.– Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan (The Gulf Today)

rashid was named ‘royal photographer’ by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al nahyan, and was officially authorised as photographer for the al nahyan family and the royal families of the seven emirates and as

‘the Uae’s photographer of the Millennium’. . . . his collection is based on a lifetime dedicated to capturing memories of the Uae’s leadership, its people, tradition, and heritage. it embodies his dedication to his

profession and to his country whose land, people, and leaders embraced him as their own.(Gulf News)

ABU DHABI – LIFE & TIMESif a picture is worth a thousand words, noor ali rashid’s photographs in Abu Dhabi – Life & Times are worth

more than a million words.(Khaleej Times)

DUBAI – LIFE & TIMESnoor ali once again proves that nothing escapes his camera in recording the emirates’ history. the pictures

and the text, woven into each other, have given the book a dramatic effect of history, spanning just about half a century. . . .(Khaleej Times)

SHEIKH ZAYED – LIFE AND TIMESroyal photographer noor ali rashid has now established enviable credentials as a biographer of the country and its eminent ruling families. the noor ali collection has been accorded global recognition and places him in the forefront of the exclusive group of world-class lensmen. . . . his latest release Sheikh Zayed – Life and

Times has received critical acclaim and is a collector’s item.(Al Khaleej)

Noor Ali Rashid’s brilliant career in photojournalism has spanned sixty rewarding years, with fifty of those as Royal Photographer to the ruling families of the UAE. He was also recog-nized as the Official Photographer to the President, Vice-President and members of the Supreme Council of the UAE. Underlining this remarkable achieve ment, he was the first photojournalist in the UAE and was also the first member of the Dubai Press Club.

Noor Ali Rashid was presented with the 1997 UAE Cultural and Scientific Association’s Sultan Al Owais Literary Award for the first two titles in the Royal Collection series, both published by Motivate. Collectively, the first three titles in the Royal Collection also won the IAA – GCC Retail Publisher Award in 1998.

In a remarkable ceremony in 2000, the UAE’s most celebrated lensman received forty-two different awards (one for each year he had worked in the Gulf area) at an awards ceremony staged to celebrate his lifetime’s work and significant contribution to recording the history of the UAE. A year later, he was bestowed with the title ‘UAE Photographer of the Millennium’. In 2006 the annual Noor Ali Rashid Photography Student Documentary Award was instituted by the Zayed University in honour of one of the premier photojournalists in the country . . . ‘whose artistic works have documented the history of the country’. In 2009, he celebrated his eightieth birthday, and fiftieth year as a Royal Photographer.

Noor Ali Rashid passed away on August 18, 2010. He is survived by his wife, six children and eleven grandchildren.

ISBN: 978 1 86063 300 3

Motivate Publishing



Published with the support of



By Royal Photographer Noor Ali Rashid

Queen elizabeth ii receives the key to the city from Sheikh hamdan bin rashid al Maktoum and Kamal hamza during her inauguration of the Dubai Municipality complex in 1979.

Other Motivate titles by Noor Ali Rashid

Abu Dhabi – Life and TimesDubai – Life and TimesThe UAE – Visions of ChangeSheikh Zayed – Life and TimesSheikh Maktoum – Life and TimesSheikh Khalifa – Life and TimesSheikh Mohammed – Life and TimesSheikh Sultan – Life and Times

Published by Motivate Publishing

Dubai: po box 2331, Dubai, Uaetel: (+971 4) 282 4060, fax: (+971 4) 282 7898e-mail: [email protected] www.booksarabia.com

office 508, building no 8, Dubai Media City, Dubai, Uaetel: (+971 4) 390 3550, fax: (+971 4) 390 4845

Abu Dhabi: po box 43072, abu Dhabi, Uaetel: (+971 2) 677 2005, fax: (+971 2) 677 0124

London: acre house, 11/15 William road, london nW1 3ere-mail: [email protected]

Directors: obaid humaid al tayer ian Fairservice

Senior editor: Catherine belbin editor: Moushumi nandy

editorial team: rue Kothari iain Smith Charlie banalo belinda igaya Zelda pinto

Author’s Teamphoto archivist: Shamsa rashidphoto researcher: Samia rashideditorial Coordinator: Yasmin rashid

© noor ali rashid and Motivate publishing 2010

all rights reserved. no part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or storing in any medium by electronic means) without the written permission of the copyright holders. applications for the copyright holders’ written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the publishers. in accordance with the international Copyright act 1956 and the Uae Federal law no. (7) of 2002, Concerning Copyrights and neighbouring rights, any person acting in contravention of this copyright will be liable to criminal prosecu tion and civil claims for damages.

iSbn: 978 1 86063 300 3

british library Cataloguing-in-publication Data. a catalogue record for this book is available from the british library.

printed and bound in the Uae by emirates printing press, Dubai.

DedicationOn behalf of our beloved father, Noor Ali Rashid, this book is dedicated to the

ruling families and people of the United Arab Emirates.

Celebrating a SpeCial relationShip UniteD arab eMirateS & UniteD KingDoM

Celebrating a SpeCial relationShip UniteD arab eMirateS & UniteD KingDoM

FOREWORD

This UK Government is committed to deepening and strengthening our engagement with the United Arab Emirates in all areas of cooperation. So I am proud to commend the publication of Celebrating a Special Relationship: United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

This is a photographic tribute to the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates spanning over 150 years.Through rare and beautiful photography it illustrates the intensity of the relationship between the peoples and cultures of these two wonderful nations. The 2010 State Visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates – which this book commemorates – is testimony of the strength of the friendship at the very highest level.

I am extremely proud of the role British commitment and expertise has played in building the modern day Emirates. I am equally delighted by the contribution Emiratis have made to British culture, industry and beyond. I am glad that this book is able to capture these contributions, and hope that its iconic photographs will inspire those working to build from this and further deepen our bilateral ties in the months and years ahead.

his highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al nahyan, president of the Uae and ruler of abu Dhabi and his highness Sheikh Mohammed bin rashid al Maktoum, Vice-president and prime Minister of the Uae and ruler of Dubai, with the british prime Minister David Cameron on his visit to the Uae in 2010.

David CameronBritish Prime Minister

8 9

PREFAcE

his highness Sheikh Mohammed bin rashid al Maktoum, Vice-president and prime Minister of the Uae and ruler of Dubai greets british prime Minister David Cameron.

The United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom enjoy a relationship based on common interests and a unique history. The 1971 Treaty of Friendship between Britain and the UAE provides a bellwether for communications and cooperation between our people and our businesses – from defense and security, trade and investment, energy and climate change, international development, culture, education, health, sport and political relations. Our relationship has grown strong, resilient, deep and durable. The friendship between Britain and the UAE is the foundation to the prosperous and secure future in which both countries so firmly believe.

This month’s visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is a testament to our enduring bond. It was my great honour to meet Her Majesty on her first visit to Dubai in 1979. In the last three decades and more, the UAE has grown and developed from a mere infant to become a respected member of the global community, and a nation of people who bridge thinking, cultural respect and understanding across the world. We are an economically and politically stable trading partner with a confident outlook. Though we are a major oil producer, the UAE is deeply committed to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Over the years, I have enjoyed the friendship of Her Majesty and was recently received as a guest of Their Royal Highnesses at Windsor castle. I believe that the warmth of our relationship is testimony to the strength of the ties that bind our two countries, and to the future we both envision for our communities. As the founding father of the UAE Sheikh Zayed once said, “History is a continuous chain of events. The present is only an extension of the past.”

The UAE and the UK are bound together by more than history and the strong personal relationships of our leaders. Most importantly, we honour and respect our rich cultures and our proud traditions. Upon these lasting values our friendship was born, and upon them it will endure.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al MaktoumVice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai

INTRODUcTION

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made her first official State visit in 1979 to the UAE on the invitation of President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. During this royal occasion Her Majesty experienced first hand the warm and hospitable Emirati culture. Accompanied by Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth inaugurated numerous British-built landmarks, since which time the United Arab Emirates has experienced an astounding transformation.

Britain’s contribution to the development of the UAE, and vice-versa, cannot be underestimated, from the Political Agents of the 1950s who integrated themselves into the local culture, both learning from and advising the Trucial sheikhs, to the first British expatriates who arrived in the country to help build its very foundations. This has been a partnership of genuine commitment and affection.

Today, the commercial, political and economic seeds that were planted nearly 200 years ago have borne fruit for both nations. The UAE is home to nearly 150,000 British people; successful companies across industries that are owned or managed by British professionals; and a buoyant market demand for UK products and services. In turn, the UAE is investing significantly in iconic projects across the United Kingdom. Working together to maximize bilateral opportunities, the relationship will continue to grow and prosper.

In this original book, we take a journey back to the 1950s and visit the Emirates as they were. We meet nation builders, rulers, royalty and the ordinary men and women who made the Emirates their home. Through a rare collection of photographs by the UAE’s royal photographer, the late Noor Ali Rashid, we are granted a tantalizing glimpse of innocent times, revisiting the moments that made history. In the present day, we are treated to a visual narrative that explores the areas of politics, trade, architecture, education, sport, art and culture where Britain and the UAE enjoy a particularly close association.

commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the UAE, we celebrate the unique relationship between the two nations and hopes for an auspicious future.

emirati schoolgirls in national costume form part of the enthusiastic crowd that welcomed her Majesty Queen elizabeth ii when she made her first State Visit to the United arab emirates in 1979.

Contents

Introduction 10

1 History: Origin, Roots and Beginnings 14

2 Bilateral Relations: Friends, Rulers and Royalty 48

3 Commerce: Business, Trade Routes and Industry 62

4 Infrastructure: Biggest, Largest and Tallest 78

5 Education, Health & Sports: Mind, Body and Soul 98

6 Lifestyle & Arts: Society, Culture and Tradition 122

Looking Ahead 140

A Tribute to the Royal Photographer 142

Acknowledgements 144

celebrating a special relationship United arab emirates & United Kingdom

history: origin, roots and beginnings

1514

Britain Began trading in the arabian gulf in the seventeenth century, the trade routes of the east india Company stretching past the sheikhdoms of the gulf right through to india. But the journey was a treacherous one; the seas filled with danger for ships laden with precious cargo. Following a short period of conflict early in the nineteenth century, on January 8, 1820, the general Maritime Peace treaty was signed between the British government and the sheikhs of the arab Coast to ensure a safer passage for their ships, uniting the two nations in an accord that would endure the centuries.

the first local residency agent was appointed by the British to monitor the region from his post in Sharjah, replaced by a British Political agent nearly sixteen years later to encourage an even closer liaison. By 1853, it had become clear that a further assurance was needed, and the Perpetual Maritime Peace treaty sealed Britain’s relationship with the leaders of the coastal sheikhdoms. renamed the trucial States, it marked the start of a period of peace and progress. But the trucial Coast was not completely free of threat from other powerful nations seeking to gain authority in the region. So in 1892, the trucial sheikhs agreed to be bound to Britain by the exclusive agreement. this guaranteed that the special allegiance that existed to protect British trade interests would not be shared with competing nations, and obliged Britain to manage the defence and foreign relations of the trucial States, with specially trained administrators and officers sent to manage the finer details.

at the start of the twentieth century, there had been some discussion about Britain formalizing their protectorate over the trucial States. Policy thus far had relied on the trust and goodwill that existed between the British, the sheikhs and their people and this amicable arrangement continued, with the British government taking a laissez-faire approach, allowing the states to manage their own affairs with some guidance and negotiation on matters of oil and aircraft. to maintain the situation from the ground, the Political agency in the trucial States was moved from Sharjah to Dubai in 1953, and in 1957 the Political Officer post at abu Dhabi was opened, only to be promoted to Political agency in 1961 after the advent of oil in the capital.

after the Second World War, the relationship with Britain intensified with the creation of the trucial States Council in 1952, initially under the chairmanship of the British Political agent and then, from 1965 onwards, by Sheikh Saqr, the ruler of ra’s al-Khaimah. the council was formed to bring all the rulers of the states closer together both politically and economically, and to promote the beginnings of modern development.

the establishment of the Council coincided with the establishment of the trucial Oman Levies, later the trucial Oman Scouts (tOS), which, commanded by British officers, worked in association with the rulers of each emirate to establish law and order outside the towns. the tOS also undertook civilian duties, such as running emergency ambulance services, and many of its solders later rose to high ranks in the Uae armed Forces.

By 1935, the exploration for oil had begun, led by British Petroleum, with the first well being drilled in 1950. the first commercial discovery was made in 1958, offshore abu Dhabi, and just four years later exports began. Dubai also found oil offshore in 1966 and production started three years later. the flow of funds allowed Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al nahyan of abu Dhabi, who became ruler in 1966, and his colleague, Sheikh rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum of Dubai, to plan for development. British expertise, both that of individuals and companies, was to prove of inestimable benefit in that process.

Meanwhile in the midst of an economic crisis in London, the Labour government was addressing ways of reducing national expenditure. One was a decision to withdraw all British troops from east of Suez, with the consequent closure of the military base in Sharjah. the withdrawal was announced in early 1968, and, with British encouragement, the seven emirates, led by Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh rashid, set about forming what was to become the federation of the Uae. initial hopes that Qatar and Bahrain would join the new state were dashed and, on July 18, 1971, six rulers from abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain and Fujairah, agreed to create the Uae, which was formally born on December 2, 1971. ra’s al-Khaimah joined a few weeks later.

the scores of British workers and their families who had arrived in the area over the previous years had become integral parts of industry and commerce in the region, while their families had settled in communities and schools across the emirates. it was natural that they would stay on. On December 1, 1971, the British Political resident in the gulf flew from Bahrain to the trucial Coast for a final farewell tour by car and helicopter. He visited each ruler to speak earnest words of departure, delivering a formal declaration of withdrawal. the next day, after the formal creation of the Uae federation, a new treaty of friendship with Britain was signed – the Political resident then departing.

1history: origin, roots &

beginnings

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history: origin, roots and beginnings

sir george middleton, the british political resident in bahrain whose role was to oversee the affairs of the gulf region, and (right) donald hawley, the political agent in dubai at the main gate of the trucial oman scouts’ headquarters, prior to their departure for a passing out parade.

Born out of a need for peace in the region, the political treaties

signed in 1820 marked the beginning of a relationship based

on trust and goodwill. To protect their trade interests the British

government sent diplomats to the Trucial States to lend their

advice and expertise, helping to set the stage for a period of

rapid development fuelled by the discovery of oil. When the

UAE federation was created in 1971 and the Political Agents

returned home, many new British expatriate workers arrived

to help build the foundations of the new state. Today, the United

Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates continue to enjoy the

benefits reaped from years of positive alliance in economic,

political, cultural and social aspects.


bilateral relations: Friends, rUlers and royalty

48 49

The sTrong connection between Britain and the UAe has been evident in the positive rapport between the royal families of both countries, which has played a fundamental role in forging the deep friendship between the two nations. UAe rulers, including sheikh Zayed and sheikh rashid, became frequent visitors to Britain from the 1950s onwards, both on official visits and privately. In February 1979, Queen elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of edinburgh, visited the United Arab emirates for the first time, as part of a lengthy tour of the Arabian gulf, flying into Kuwait on Concorde and then moving on to Abu Dhabi, where she was received by President sheikh Zayed. In the capital, she was entertained at an official banquet and visited a number of local institutions, including the British school Al Khubairat, before going on to Dubai, where, hosted by sheikh rashid, she was presented with the key to the city and also opened a number of major projects with which British companies had been involved, including Jebel Ali Port and the Dubai World Trade Centre. she was also entertained at lunch by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

returning to Abu Dhabi, she hosted a dinner for the UAe’s rulers and leading officials on board the royal Yacht Britannia, in Mina (Port) Zayed, before travelling to ruwais, in Abu Dhabi’s Western region, to inaugurate an oil refinery, underlining not only the importance of Abu Dhabi’s oil industry but also the part played by British companies in its development.

earlier in the decade, a visit by Princess Anne, the Princess royal, drew attention to a shared passion of the ruling families of both the UAe and the UK – that of horse racing. By this time, Dubai’s ruling Al Maktoum family had already begun to make their mark on the english horse-racing industry, winning a number of classic races. over the years since then, this interest has grown and Dubai itself, thanks to the formation of the godolphin stables, owned by today’s Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAe and ruler of Dubai, sheikh Mohammed bin rashid Al Maktoum, has become one of the most successful stables in the world, while the world-famous Dubai World Cup has become one of the world’s top races.

Both in thoroughbred racing and in the racing of Arabian horses, the links between the two countries remain close, with sheikh Mohammed and his wife, Princess haya bint Al hussein, herself, like Princess Anne, a horsewoman of

international note, continuing the Al Maktoum family tradition of attending the annual epsom Derby and royal Ascot Week in Britain.

Visits to the United Arab emirates by members of the British royal family have become almost common events since that first visit by the Queen and the Duke of edinburgh in 1979. The heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, has made several visits since March 1989, for example, accompanied first by the late Princess of Wales and, more recently, by the Duchess of Cornwall. engagements during these tours have covered a wide variety of interests, including an inspection of units of the UAe armed forces, meetings with senior officials and with British businessmen, a visit to a nature reserve near Abu Dhabi and a visit to a pre-Islamic Christian monastery excavated by British archaeologists on Abu Dhabi’s western island of Abu Dhabi. Prince Charles also held lengthy discussions with the late sheikh Zayed on the hopes for Muslim-Christian dialogue, a topic close to both of their hearts.

In July 1990, sheikh Zayed paid a state visit to Britain, accompanied by other leading officials and being entertained by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

numerous other visits have been made to Britain since then, by President sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al nahyan, for example, as well as by Vice President and Prime Minister sheikh Mohammed bin rashid Al Maktoum, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al nahyan and Foreign Minister sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al nahyan, these often involving private meetings with members of the British royal family as well as Prime Ministers and other top government officials.

The most frequent visitor from Britain’s royal family to the emirates in recent years has been Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in his capacity as Britain’s special representative for Trade and Investment. During these visits, often several times a year, he has met with key officials to promote the economic and commercial relationship between Britain and the UAe, has visited schools, and has even found time to attend major sporting events, such as the inaugural Abu Dhabi Formula one grand Prix in 2009, where a British team clinched top honours.

There is also a long history of visits to the UAe by leading British politicians. edward heath, later Britain’s Prime Minister but then Lord Privy seal, visited in 1961, followed by numerous others, along whom have been several Prime Ministers, including Margaret Thatcher in 1981, Tony Blair and gordon Brown. Most recently, Britain’s new Prime Minister, David Cameron, visited Abu Dhabi in June 2010, less than one month after assuming office, declaring “visiting the UAe was one of my first priorities as British Prime Minister. our shared history is significant. But our common future is even more important.”

noting the close cooperation that existed between the two countries on defence and security, he also pledged to work to develop the partnership between Britain and the emirates in a wide range of fields, including trade and commerce, industry, culture and education.


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sheikh maktoum escorts the princess royal, princess anne; british ambassador harold ‘hooky’ Walker and sheikh mana bin Khalifa bin saeed al maktoum during the princess’ visit to dubai in the 1970s.


sheikh maktoum welcomes the prince and the princess of Wales to dubai in march 1989.

her majesty Queen elizabeth ii and prince philip accompanied by sheikh rashid (extreme right) and sheikh mohammed at the opening ceremony of the holy trinity church in dubai, on her first visit to the United arab emirates.

sheikh maktoum accompanies the prince of Wales during an inspection of the Uae armed Forces.


commerce: bUsiness, trade roUtes and indUstry

6362

Until the end of the Second World War, most British expatriates who visited or lived in the emirates were political officials or members of the armed forces. After the War, others began to arrive, amongst the first being oilmen. this helped to prompt a demand for new products, goods and services which were also needed by developing local businesses. One of the first needs to be met was banking, with the British Bank of the Middle east, now part of hSBC, opening the country’s first bank branch in Dubai in 1946. it remained the only bank there until 1963, also opening an office in Abu Dhabi in 1959. As the economy began to take off, however, particularly after the commencement of oil exports in 1962, more banks from Britain, and elsewhere, arrived and local banks were also established. today, besides hSBC, other British high street banks like lloyds tSB and Barclays are also well established, along with numerous British merchant banks and financial services companies. links with the City of london are strong while there is a steady flow of investment funds in both directions, underpinning a financial relationship that is of benefit to both the UAe and Britain.

A number of other British companies from different industries have become well-known in the emirates. land Rovers, for example, rugged and capable of coping with almost any terrain, were the vehicles of choice for the trucial Oman Scouts and early municipality officials in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and elsewhere. today, luxury cars like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar and Aston Martin find the UAe to be among their top markets worldwide.

in the oil business, BP and Shell have been present for over seventy-five years, since the very beginning. Both companies are long-standing joint venture partners with Abu Dhabi national Oil Company (ADnOC) in the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operation (ADCO), which pumps up to 1.4 million barrels of oil per day.

less noticeably, Rolls-Royce are also present in the oil industry as their turbines have been used in Abu Dhabi’s oilfields since 1973. their aero engines also power much of the fleet of Dubai’s emirates Airline, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines. Rolls-Royce is a principal supplier of engines for etihad’s aircraft as well. in June 2009, etihad Airways ordered fifty Rolls Royce trent XWB engines to power its new Airbus A350 aircraft and twenty-two Ge-90 engines to power its new Boeing 777/300eR

aircraft, as part of the largest engine order in aviation history. these famous names, and many others, have helped to make the UAe Britain’s largest export market in the Middle east and thirteenth largest in the world.

British companies can be found in almost every sector of the economy, from power generation to environmental services, from manufacturing to architecture and from healthcare to construction. hundreds more are showing interest in setting up in the emirates in the future, an indication of the potential future growth of the UK-UAe partnership.

Many of those companies that have already arrived, both large and small, are among the more than 2,000 members of the two British Business Group in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. established in 1996 and 1987 respectively, they serve an important role as an interface between UK and UAe business.

A number of individual British businessmen have also emerged as key figures in major UAe companies. Paul Anderson, for example, is at the helm of the UAe’s most innovative infrastructure development in recent years, the Dubai Metro, which has carried over 24 million passengers since it opened in September 2009. Gerald lawless, as executive chairman, has overseen the rapid growth of the Dubai-based Jumeirah hotels group, which now manages major properties in new York, london and elsewhere as well as the iconic Burj Al Arab.

in aviation, Sir Maurice Flanagan was the founding CeO, in 1985, of emirates Airline and is now executive vice-chairman of the emirates Group, whose president is tim Clarke, another well-known and respected figure in the global aviation industry as well as within the local community.

British citizens can be found in leading positions in companies throughout the country, although, with the majority of them resident in Dubai, it’s natural that most are to be found there. in Abu Dhabi, Robert Schwarz of Mohammed bin Masaood and Sons and a former Chairman of the local British Business Group, is another long-term British resident who has played his part in the building of the local economy, as is David Spearing, a resident of the capital since the late 1960s and a civil engineer who has found time every summer for the last thirty-seven years to act as a steward at london’s Wimbledon tennis tournament.

in the field of media, the region’s first english language magazine, What’s On was launched in 1979 by British entrepreneur ian Fairservice who, in partnership with the current UAe Minister of State for Finance, Obaid humaid Al tayer, has developed Motivate Publishing into one of the region’s largest media groups, with more than twenty magazines and a portfolio of over 300 books.


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an aerial photograph of the dubai creek dating back to the 1960s, which clearly shows the three distinct ‘communities’ which then made up dubai. shindagha in the left foreground, bur dubai (including bastakiya) to the right, and deira on the far side of the creek.

Celebrating A Special Relationship: UAE & UK

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