Tardis travels to Abu Dhabi.

When Wandsworth-based Andrew Newbery - a solicitor with a leading law firm - was offered a three year work placement in Abu Dhabi, his family were only too happy to oblige.  As the months of preparation come to a close, the Newberys are now getting ready for their relocation at the end of March 2009.

Commenting on the decision to move, Andrew’s wife Vicky said: “We always knew that an overseas placement was on the cards as Andrew’s work is very much focused on the Middle East.  The current economic climate in the UK made it a relatively easy decision to make and thankfully the kids are at a good age to relocate.”

Although they are excited about experiencing a new culture and way of life, the Newbery family had to commit to the relocation before Vicky or the children had even been to Abu Dhabi. 

“Andrew had been there before but the rest of us hadn’t so we really had to put our trust in him that we would enjoy living there.  We finally managed to travel to Abu Dhabi as a family for a week in the run up to Christmas and it very much secured our desire to move there.  The excitement about moving  has certainly helped us to keep going through the lengthy admin process.”

With two young sons, Tom (aged 9) and James (aged 7), the decision to relocate abroad was not something Vicky and Andrew took lightly, but they needn’t have worried as the boys see the relocation as a big adventure.

“When we told them about the move they were very excited.  The lure of the beach, pools, endless sunshine and shorter school days was obviously too much for them to turn down!”

James did have one concern, however.  When Vicky and Andrew told him about the move his first response was: “The tardis is coming isn’t it mummy?”

Vicky explained: “The boys are big Doctor Who fans and my dad has made them a life-size tardis which they play in all the time.  At 5ft it’s certainly going to be an interesting item to pack up.”

As Andrew’s employers are handling the administrative side of the move, all the Newberys needed to arrange was a company to move their possessions, including the boys’ beloved tardis. The choice was an obvious one for Vicky and Andrew. 

“We had heard a lot about Crown Relocations and when we spoke to one of our contacts in Abu Dhabi the company was thoroughly recommended.  The fact that Crown also has an office in Abu Dhabi was the final reassurance for us – we knew that we would get a fully supported door-to-door service.”

A successful businesswoman in her own right, Vicky juggles her role as a mother with running her own HR consultancy from home.  Having worked hard to establish her company Vicky has every intention to continue her work from overseas.

Vicky explained: “Fortunately consultancy life is flexible so I intend to work from Abu Dhabi but it will be a while before I can do it properly; my priority when we arrive will be to settle the family into our new surroundings.  I also need to arrange the correct type of working visa as I am hoping to keep my clients and work remotely.”

With the family relocating to a different culture it will be important for them to adjust to the new local life and they have already put plans into place.  Vicky has attended a seminar on United Arab Emirates employment law and she also intends to learn Arabic to be able to interact with the local community as much as possible. 

“It will be really important for us to get stuck into local life straight away.  The children will be able to make lots of friends at their new school and this will help Andrew and I to meet other parents in the area.  We’ve also been networking with the expat community and they have been a great source of support and information for us.”

So what advice would the Vicky pass on to other families hoping to relocate?

“As we have had a four month lead time to prepare for the move we have had a lot of time to think things through, which I know is a luxury that many people don’t get. However, I would say that it’s very important to find the right school and secure a place for the kids before you move so there is no last minute panic when you get out there. We have already arranged a house and this has been really useful to help us visualise which items we can and can’t take with us.  I also can’t stress enough the need to use the local expat community. The most important thing is to not be shy about asking for their help.”