Please tell us a little about your workplace.
I work for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) which has operations in twelve
jurisdictions within the Middle East. Within the region PwC provides Assurance,
Consulting, Deals, Tax and Legal services to a broad range of private and
government clients. The firms that make up the PwC Middle East Network are some
of the fastest growing of all the firms in the PwC Global Network and there are
plans to expand further. At a global level, PwC has operations in 158
countries, offices in 736 locations and a global headcount of over 235,000
people.
What is your role at your workplace?
I am a Director within the Office of General Counsel (OGC) which provides
support and advice to PwC Middle East Network firms. The role of the OGC team
is to deliver timely and pragmatic advice to assist internal and client-facing
teams manage and minimise complex risk matters whilst ensuring PwC remains
commercially relevant and easy to do business with. The focus of my role spans
the provision of advice in relation to corporate, commercial, regulatory and
contentious matters. That being said, our team is relatively small which means
we take a ‘roll the sleeves up’ approach when it comes to the wide variety of
matters throughout the region requiring legal support.
How long have you been working in the role and where were you working
previously?
I have been working for PwC ever since I was admitted to the Supreme Court of
New South Wales as a lawyer in 2008. Out of my nine years with PwC, five of
these were in Sydney and the rest have been in Dubai. Supporting the ambitious
growth plans of the PwC Middle East Network was one of the primary reasons I
came to Dubai. Like many others, I initially transferred to Dubai on a two-year
secondment but have since become a permanent employee here.
Prior to working at PwC I was a paralegal at the New South Wales Crown
Solicitor’s Office – a government agency that provides legal advice primarily
to government entities and instrumentalities.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I really enjoy the variety of matters our team handles. Despite having been
with PwC for over nine years there are always new and unique challenges that
require resolving. By contrast to matters that require on-the-fly advice, I
also enjoy opportunities to work alongside the business from start to finish on
bigger strategic projects.
What is the most challenging and difficult aspect of your job?
One of the more challenging aspects of my job is navigating areas of law that
are untested or unclear. However, these challenges also keep me on my toes and,
as mentioned above, add to the varied and dynamic nature of my role.
What does a typical day at work look like?
A typical day can include turning up to work and promptly throwing my plans out
the window due to a new and urgent risk matter arising that requires immediate
attention. On the days where this doesn’t occur, my time is usually spent (a)
liaising with business teams, senior leadership and other OGC teams; (b)
reviewing, drafting and negotiating all kinds of documents; and (c) supervising
and mentoring OGC team members.
How do you like to spend your leisure time?
Dubai is such a fun playground for all kinds of activities. My leisure time is
mostly spent outdoors on activities such as cycling, running, diving,
wakeboarding, kitesurfing and, more recently, paddle tennis (a cross between
squash and tennis). I also have a nerdy interest in drones and enjoy putting
together videos of various activities and travel adventures using footage shot
from the ground and the air.
Do you have any general comments to make about living in Dubai?
Dubai is a fascinating place to live and work. My wife and I have met so many
great people here who have since become our family away from home. We love the
opportunities Dubai has given us in terms of work and travel and there is
always a new activity or restaurant to try.
Andy Glendinning
ABCD Board Member (YPG) and PwC