A spotlight on Ben McLean

Ben McLean has recently moved to the UAE from the Isle of Man to take up a new role as Client Services Director (Middle East). We caught up with him to find out how he’s settling in and what his priorities are for the year to come.

Tell us a bit about your professional background and experience to date 

I have more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, the last 10 years of which I have spent at Equiom. Throughout my career I’ve worked within client services, from administrator through to my current role as Client Services Director in the UAE. 

I’ve really enjoyed the breadth of my roles at Equiom, together with the people I’ve worked with and learnt from along the way. I have been trusted to work on some significant and challenging client structures managed out of the Isle of Man, from property related succession planning vehicles through to asset protection, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and regulated entities.

Historically I oversaw a diverse portfolio of Equiom clients, ensuring they benefitted from the highest levels of customer service. These included complex structures with multifaceted assets across various jurisdictions and since 2017 where required, sitting on the board of those managed client companies. 

I continue to play an integral part in the roll out and management of the DIFC Employee Workplace Savings (DEWS) plan, for which Equiom is the Master Trustee. 

Having just moved to the UAE from the Isle of Man, how does it feel to grow and develop your role with Equiom?

I’ve been very fortunate to have been seconded to other regions over the course of the last 10 years, working on projects in other Equiom offices, although my base was always the Isle of Man. I feel very lucky to be able to develop both my role and my skillset in a new country in 2022 and beyond, and I’m looking forward to the opportunities that the UAE will provide as I learn more about doing business in a new region. 

What is top of your agenda now that you are on the ground in the UAE?

I will be focused on several areas that are key for the development and expansion of our latest DIFC office. 

I will be acting as Director on the Board of Equiom Fiduciary Services (Middle East) Limited and using our new DIFC Trust licence to administer local private wealth structures, such as DIFC Trusts and Foundations. 

DEWS remains at the top of my agenda and I will continue to have a keen focus on maintaining and further developing our relationships on the ground.

What do you think is the impact of DEWS to those employees who are enrolled in it?

The ability for employees to plan for their future with the comfort of knowing that their end of service benefit is secure, within an appropriate trust arrangement, and waiting for them when they leave their employment.

As the first employee money purchase scheme of its kind in Dubai, DEWS has led the way and we hope to see more employees benefit from the same protection in the future. 

What are you most excited for in 2022?

2022 started with a big move, so I’m eager to get established in the UAE and really explore what the country has to offer. 

Career wise, I’m excited to get involved in new projects including the wider trust services that will be coming on board shortly under Equiom Fiduciary Services (Middle East) Limited, providing an opportunity for us to manage local assets via structures such as DIFC Trusts and Foundations and assisting private clients with their fiduciary needs right here in the Middle East.

Hopefully I’ll learn some new skills along the way as well, although languages have never been my strong point I will do my best to pick up some Arabic words and phrases.  

Equiom Fiduciary Services (Middle East) Limited is regulated by the DFSA. Any information contained herein is intended only for Professional Clients or Market Counterparties as defined by the DFSA, and no other Person should act upon it. All employers and employees participating in the DEWS Plan will be treated as Retail Clients under the DFSA requirements.

For information on the regulatory status of our companies, please click here