5 Questions With James Elliot-Square – Regional Business Development Manager
James is the Regional Business Development Manager at Sovereign PRO Partner Group, responsible for overseeing business development across the GCC region. Based between Sovereign’s Dubai and Riyadh offices, James leverages his extensive knowledge of the UAE and KSA markets to guide clients in successfully establishing their businesses in the region. His deep understanding of local cultures, combined with his passion and commitment to transparency and integrity, make him an invaluable partner to clients navigating complex company formation processes.
James’ role includes managing a team of business development professionals, and his analytical approach ensures clients receive swift, accurate, and comprehensive advice on their business setup options.
Can you tell us about your role as Business Development Manager at Sovereign PRO Partner Group and what it entails?
I have been with Sovereign, the leading corporate service provider in the GCC, for over 6 years and have spent more than 16 years in the GCC region. I’m based between our Dubai and Riyadh offices and specialise in assisting companies in the UAE, Europe, US and Asia to expand their footprint into the UAE & KSA markets. I have played a vital role in the growth and expansion of our clients into both markets and make sure I navigate their expansion, so they fully understand what is required prior to them deciding to go ahead.
What has been your career journey leading up to your current position, and what motivated you to join Sovereign?
Prior to working with Sovereign, I was in various roles but always in the sales & business development role. I have been in online advertising, procurement for United Nations as well as trading commodities worldwide. I started straight out of school in between University and never looked back! I was blessed to have good guidance from a young age through sport, teachers and mentors. Having to work through many hardships allowed me to understand that being successful is as much about grit, determination and discipline as any talent I may or may not possess. Once understood you are able to control your controllables and significantly increase your success.
I was recruited over 6 years ago, to provide a more sales focussed approach to the then PPG. I enjoy a challenge and saw an opportunity to be an integral part of growing the company, both in terms of revenue but also in market share.
What do you find most rewarding and most challenging about your work in business development?
I certainly find the most rewarding part of the role is to navigate what can be an extremely confusing and difficult market to penetrate and turn it into a digestible understandable process so that both High net worth individuals & multinational companies can enter the market as well as stay compliant. I really enjoy helping people/companies achieve their goals.
Some of the challenging aspects can be the complexities that can change suddenly in the market from a governmental standpoint, however like all emerging markets we always have to adapt. This adaptability generally gives more opportunity to the client if we are able to communicate them coherently and professionally. It is why we have made a name for ourselves as the CSP to rely on.
I am always looking forward to helping a client achieve their goals.
How do you stay motivated and driven in such a dynamic industry?
Targets are imperative to staying motivated. Having an overall goal is as important. Then by trusting your ability and the team around you, we are able to work towards it whilst knowing that the small steps will get us there. Always trust the process.
I was given a golden nugget at an early stage of my career. Understand that whether you have a successful day, or less so, every new day is unique and separate to the last. By understanding that I am able to segregate the highs and lows, stay stable and know that by trusting the process we will improve on an upward trajectory.
This industry for sure keeps you on your toes, whether it be 100% foreign ownership coming into play, meaning that a whole new approach became applicable or to new laws that require different considerations. These new rules make sure that everyday we are learning something new. I enjoy relaying new information to clients and making sure they stay compliant in a complex jurisdiction.
Do you have any exciting projects coming up? We heard you’re undertaking an incredible marathon challenge!
On the work front, I am enjoying the next chapter of improving the KSA office. We have started strongly and are gaining significant market share through networking and referrals. I am looking forward at continuing being at the forefront of this market and helping more and more entities expand into the region.
On a personal front I am currently training for an epic challenge in the early part of the New Year. I am running 7 Marathons, in 7 consecutive days on all 7 continents. I am taking part in this challenge to raise both awareness but as vital, funds for underprivileged children in Asia and Europe who critically are needing support. I was blessed to be able to spend time with some of the children whilst on a work trip in Hong Kong which motivated me even more in this challenge. The training is grueling, but I am keeping my focus and it will be worth it when we are able to really make a difference to these children’s lives.
Please do support our journey by following our social media (LinkedIn, Instagram) and of course donations are welcomed to the Sovereign Art Foundation.
I am most looking forward to (albeit some apprehension) running the first marathon in Antarctica, but Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza in Brazil & Miami will all be epic in their own way!
