Calum White and Jamie Clayton, who have been friends since their early years in Edinburgh, aim to source top talent from around the world to foster a positive workplace culture and establish their footprint in the global recruitment industry. The firm’s key sectors include food, manufacturing and consumer goods (FMCG), tech and finance.

Mr White’s experience in the Dubai business scene was initiated with his real estate agency, White & Co., established in the city in 2021. His long-time friend, Mr Clayton, had a four-year stint at Edinburgh’s D.R. Newitt Recruitment before he seized the opportunity to co-found the new agency.

Mr Clayton said: “Calum has been trying to get me over to Dubai for eight years and now seemed the right time as I was ready for a change. I know he can run a business and when this idea came along, it was impossible to ignore.

Jamie Clayton

“We grew up together in Edinburgh, he’s my best mate and our whole business plan is based on trust. I wouldn’t be doing this with just anyone.

“I’ve been here on holiday before but I don’t see the country as a holiday destination any more. I’m nearly 32 and mature enough to look upon this as very much being about business for me. We have only just opened the doors but things are going well and I know we have a winning formula.”

The newly formed firm is focused on filling roles from graduate to executive level, with companies like Nestle and Mondelez International, the owners of Cadbury, among their early clientele. The partners express a clear vision for their agency’s growth, underpinned by trust and their combined business acumen.

Mr White said: “We want to build something special here. My experience in building up the real estate agency has been invaluable and I wanted to use that along with Jamie’s background and knowledge to start up a recruitment firm which I’m sure is going to be a great success.

“We are looking to attract the best in the business from around the world to our base in Dubai as we set the foundations for the proper culture which will help make our mark in the industry. We have a very clear vision of where we want to go and are looking for the right people to make that happen.

“There are really exciting times ahead and I can’t wait to see how things develop.”