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Jessica Cook
Private Client Adviser LLB (Hons) DipFA ASCI
Jessica Cook: Financial Advice in Dubai & the UAE
You are likely to have a lot of questions about what good financial advice looks like in Dubai. I will aim to answer most of them on this page.
Taking the steps to ensure financial security in your future is a sensible move for senior professionals. But it can be even more important when you have the added complexities of living outside your home country.
Dubai is a melting pot. An incredible place to live, providing a wonderful quality of life for a diverse range of people. A rich and interesting environment, with a unique culture and an economy that is constantly evolving and offering new opportunities. As a professional in this country, you have the chance to work hard and the opportunity to boost your financial prospects.
When selecting a financial planner, you should be careful to choose someone with experience and who has a good understanding of the unique rules and regulations that make up the economy of Dubai. Especially as It is unlikely that the financial advice you receive here will be the same as you would expect back home. Make sure to do plenty of research and ensure your adviser is regulated by the appropriate organisations and suitably qualified.

Managing Your Money in Dubai
Every client has a unique situation which requires a detailed understanding of their financial position and future prospects. A successful plan is built on this knowledge.
If you are looking to boost your wealth and protect your financial future, you will need a financial plan that covers every aspect of your life. Comprehensive wealth analysis covers absolutely everything that could be used to grow and future-proof your assets.
Financial Advice in Dubai for International Professionals
The lifestyle in Dubai is fast-paced – in a country that is constantly changing and adapting to the needs of its citizens, the opportunities are plentiful. However, in between all the working, socialising, traveling and essential relaxation that professionals are expected to do, you might not have the time to get your finances in order.
Looking for a financial adviser/planner to keep your complex financial affairs in order can be a minefield, as there are many to choose from and you need to do your due diligence.
In the UAE and Dubai especially, some companies and individuals promote themselves as advisers, but they are actually just salespeople who lack the knowledge, experience and qualifications you need and should expect. They are usually more interested in the commission payments they receive for selling you the products of their affiliates than your financial well-being.
In your quest to find a good financial planner, you might also come across fiduciaries. These advisers will charge a set fee for their services, and their business depends on your success. It can sometimes be difficult to tell the two types apart, since they may market themselves in the same way, so make sure to ask questions.

The best financial advisers are working to ensure your best financial interests – not theirs are at heart. Their services should be clear and easy-to-understand with fully transparent fees. Ask lots of questions and trust your instincts – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Look for a financial adviser that is:
Do You Need Financial Advice in Dubai?
If you are a senior professional who has relocated to Dubai or the UAE and have investable assets in excess of £500,000 or more, it is likely that your financial situation will be more complex as an expat.
A financial adviser will help you to navigate a sensible money plan. A solid route to success helps you to understand exactly what it is that you want from your money. What is your over-ridding financial objective? It then gives you the tools you need to get there.
Financial planning can help you to:
International Investment Made Easy
Many financial advisers follow something called the ‘ABC rule’.
In its simplest form, this relates to the way you use your money in an international context. ‘A’ is the country you are from. ‘B’ is the country you live in, and ‘C’ is the country you are banking in. Banking offshore, particularly when living in the Dubai or the UAE, ensures your wealth is safe. It allows you to maximise your financial opportunities. A financial adviser can help you find a well-regulated offshore jurisdiction to house your capital.


Planning Your Taxes and Trusts in Dubai
Even though professionals living in Dubai benefit from a unique, zero income tax position. Your plan for taxes is just as important as wealth accumulation.
There is a likelihood that your tax burden may change when you repatriate, or depending on your domicile and as your wealth grows. A financial planner can help you to forecast what future tax implications there could be and provide advice on how best to position yourself to minimise these.
The more you earn, the more complicated your tax burden may be, and many senior professionals end up paying a lot more tax than necessary, just because they do not understand their position fully. Taxes can become more complicated when you are living cross -boarder. A good plan ensures that taxes are mitigated as much as possible.
A financial adviser will also take a look at any assets you may have in your home country, or other jurisdictions. Planning for taxes on your entire international portfolio. You may not have considered things such as inheritance tax, capital gains, future income taxes, or lifetime allowance taxes on your pension, for example.
It can sound overwhelming, but it is a financial planners’ role to help you pay as little tax as possible, so that you can enjoy your hard-earned money. One possible way to do that, is to place some of your wealth into suitable trust structures. And with so many different types of trusts to choose from, it is essential you have a financial planner who understands the merits and potential drawbacks of all the options.

Investment Portfolio Review Dubai
If you are already invested, then as a minimum you should receive a yearly review to ensure you understand your current financial picture.
Think of an investment portfolio review as an MOT of your finances. It is a good idea to regularly review your investments, to ensure they are still working for you and you are on track to meet your goals. If you have received advice elsewhere and would like a second opinion I would be happy to help. If we don’t think we can improve your position, be it by improving returns, mitigating risk, or reducing fess, we will tell you. It is always in a fiduciaries interest for you to do well and so we will always be truthful about the value we can expect to add to your finances.

Relocating to Dubai
Dubai provides quite a draw to international investors looking to enjoy a little of that wealth for themselves.
With beautiful sandy beaches, incredibly warm temperatures and a fast-paced, exciting lifestyle on offer, it is no wonder so many people across the world are considering emigrating to this golden paradise. Of course, it is not as simple as purchasing a one-way flight ticket. There is a lot to consider, and planning needs to start as far in advance as possible. There is no need to wait until you touch down in Dubai. You can seek the help of an experienced offshore financial planner in advance.

Repatriation from Dubai
If you decide the lifestyle of Dubai is not for you, or you have another reason why you need to move back home, it is important to ensure all your financial issues are neatly tied up in this country and where you are moving to.
Depending on the size of your portfolio, this can be a complex job. Repatriation is time-consuming in itself. As you consider moving your belongings and family back home and look into how your life will form when you get there. That is why a financial planner in Dubai can provide an essential service to ensure nothing is forgotten in the chaos of relocating. Helping to manage your finances seamlessly and in a tax efficient manner, ready for your move.

Jessica Cook
Private Client Adviser LLB (Hons) DipFA ASCI
About Jessica Cook
In today’s market conditions, with increasing taxation pressures and geopolitical shifts, the requirements to ensure your wealth is perfectly positioned, organised efficiently and future-proofed is essential.
Following a forensic review of all aspects of my clients’ wealth, health, and family needs, I am able to work with them to construct the most robust, transparent, and healthy balance sheet. Often maximising areas many would not have thought possible, due to my international “non resident” experience.
Featuring in the 2020 Times Newspaper Guide to the UK’s Top Rated Financial Advisers. My background is law, and a former career with the Financial Times. I am also a regular financial columnist for multiple publications.
Areas of expertise include:
Defined Benefit/Final Salary Pension Transfers
Maximizing pension lifetime allowance (LTA)
Portfolio Management Portfolio reviews/Rebalancing
Reducing ongoing charges
Pension transfers and pensions planning/ SIPPs and QROPS
Cash-flow forecasting
Estate and IHT planning
Life Insurance and protection
Lifetime holistic financial planning