When I set out recently for my first visit to the Middle East in my new role as Head of the Middle East Desk at Irwin Mitchell, I knew from my previous trips that I’d be stepping into a region full of dynamism and change. This time, the journey took me and my colleagues to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi—a whirlwind itinerary, but one which gave me invaluable insight into the opportunities and trends shaping the region. 

I’m always impressed by the pace of change in the region and each time I return, the transformation seems to have accelerated. This was especially true in Saudi Arabia. In Riyadh, I saw the rapid development of the King Abdullah Financial District – a dazzling project which is designed to showcase the increasing might of Saudi Arabia in the global financial world. The city’s new metro system, which was still only in the planning stages two years ago, is now up and running, and the feedback I heard was overwhelmingly positive.