Taking the leap: Reflecting on 2 years in Saudi Arabia

After nearly a decade in the Middle East, starting in the UAE, then Qatar, I took a leap of faith in November 2022 and moved to Riyadh. It wasn’t just another job transfer. It was a step into the unknown, both personally and professionally. My goal was simple: to help establish Cundall’s new office in Saudi Arabia.

I joined Cundall 10 years ago, and from the start, I’ve always been someone who thrives on challenges. I believe that real growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone – when you take a quantum leap, think differently, stumble, fall, get back up, and figure things out through experience.

Leading up to the move, I heard a lot of noise - hesitations from others, media narratives, and outdated perceptions of Saudi Arabia.

I made the decision to go, assuming it would be similar to other GCC countries I’d lived in. But the moment I landed at Riyadh Airport; I realised I was stepping into something entirely different.

From the very start, the warmth I felt was real. Airport staff, my first taxi driver, locals in cafés, colleagues, all showing genuine, consistent hospitality. People didn’t just ask how I was; they wanted to connect, share stories, and welcome me in a way I didn’t expect.

That support extended far beyond casual interactions.

When I first arrived and was finding my feet, our local Saudi partner, MABConsult, played a key role. They were a grounding presence, helping me understand the local terrain, navigate regulations, and generally just feel more settled in a new environment. That early backing really made a difference.

Starting a business in a new country is no small feat, even with a decade of regional experience. I was the first one on the ground for Cundall KSA. No office, no team, and little clarity on how things work operationally. But each day, I chipped away, researching, attending events, engaging with PIF companies and private developers, and travelling across the Kingdom to build connections.

Up until today, I’m still learning. Still discovering new aspects about the Kingdom, both culturally and from a regulatory perspective. From the outside, you only see part of the picture. But once you're actually on the ground, living, working, building, you begin to see and experience the full story. It is rich, layered, and constantly evolving.

At the same time, I was settling my family into their new life, finding a home, sorting schools, handling paperwork, and finalising our entity registration

I’ll never forget visiting the Ministry of Investment (MISA), being welcomed with Saudi coffee and dates by the officials, then walking through the Regional Headquarters process step-by-step. That level of support left a lasting impression - it showed just how welcoming the Kingdom is to international investors.

And what amazed me most was how digitally advanced KSA is. Everything’s connected, Efficient and streamlined.

Balancing work, family and wellbeing through all of this was intense. I had to completely rethink how I approached each day. Mindset became everything. I began waking up before sunrise, not just to get a head start on the day, but to read books on the subconscious mind, habit formation, and the power of positive thinking. I became more intentional about how I managed my time, set goals, and built routines that kept me grounded.

That mindset shift helped me keep pace with it all.

Fast forward a year into the journey. After months of bidding on opportunities, building our local team, refining operations, meeting clients, and balancing life, we landed multiple high-end projects. It was a major milestone. And it was far from a solo effort. I had rock-solid support from my wife, our regional GCC offices and global teams who stood by me every step of the way. Their trust and collaboration were absolutely essential.

And behind all of that, I had two key people whose belief in me made the difference: Lee French and Richard Stratton. They understood my drive, recognised the vision, and supported me wholeheartedly. Having their backing gave me the confidence and freedom to lead authentically.

The team itself has come a long way. Hiring in a new market comes with its challenges, but we reached a 50% Saudization target and built a diverse, 28-person team that reflects Cundall’s values. Every new hire had to be "Cundallised", to truly understand our culture, high standards, and performance mindset. I invested heavily in onboarding and training, with a long-term strategy in mind: these team members would eventually become mentors for the next wave. And it worked.

One of our proudest achievements? Being awarded ‘Consultancy of the Year 2023’ at the Construction Week Awards. That recognition validated the blood, sweat, and coffee it took to get here. We’ve now moved into our brand-new office, designed by our own team, with a strong focus on wellbeing, sustainability, and productivity. It’s a statement of intent and our commitment to Saudi Vision 2030.

Along the way, I’ve spoken on industry panels, built relationships with clients from every corner of the Kingdom, and kept conversations going with our international partners across Europe, the UK, and Asia. Staying proactive has been key. But none of it would have worked if I hadn’t also carved out space for my family, health, and mental clarity.

Two years and five months in, it honestly feels like a lifetime of lessons packed into a single chapter. The journey has been raw, real, and deeply fulfilling. I've met incredible people, locals, expats, clients and felt a true sense of home here. My family is happy. The team is thriving. And I can confidently say: if you're thinking about making the move to KSA, do it.

It might just change your life.