Thinking of relocating to Dubai? Wondering how the UAE tax system works and why so many UK families are choosing to relocate there? 

In this episode of Not Just a Number, host Kieron Clement-Smith, Partner at SRLV, sits down with Jamie Harvey of Rosemont Partners, a relocation and company formation expert who has helped hundreds of private clients and businesses move to the UAE. From employee visa routes and Golden Visas to choosing the right Free Zone and understanding Corporate Tax, Kieron and Jamie discuss everything entrepreneurs, UK expats, High Net Worth Individuals and their families need to know before relocating. 

Whether you're exiting the UK tax system, looking for a lifestyle change, or want to set up a business, this episode is packed with expert insights and best practice on how to make a UAE move successful - without falling foul of UK tax rules, or mismanaging your business setup. 

In this episode, you will hear: 

• How to obtain a UAE visa or Golden Visa through property or investment
• The crucial difference between UAE visa residency and tax residency
• What the UK statutory residence test means for your move abroad
• Corporate Tax and VAT rates, and recent changes to the UAE’s tax landscape
• Free Zones vs Mainland and Offshore: What will suit your business best?
• What you need to know about UK anti-avoidance rules and the “temporary non-residence” trap
• Family-friendly living in Dubai: from Arabian Ranches and Downtown to Emirates Hills and Palm Jumeirah 
• Schooling, pets, community life and adjusting as a family 
• Why safety, the cost of living, lifestyle and infrastructure make Dubai increasingly attractive to global movers 

Key moments in this episode:  

0:00 - Why Dubai? Jamie’s Move from Dublin to the UAE 

4:35 - Visa Options: How to Legally Move to Dubai as an Employee 

5:30 - Golden Visas: Investment Paths for Entrepreneurs 

7:56- Best Neighbourhoods for Expat Families: Arabian Ranches to Palm Jumeirah 

12.06 - UAE Tax vs UK Tax: How do Personal Taxes Compare? 

13.24 – Dubai Lifestyle: from world-class Golf Courses to Padel and Indoor Skiing  

16:29 - Starting a Business in Dubai: Free Zones, Offshore and Mainland Explained 

20:16 - Choosing the Right Free Zone in Dubai: The Key Considerations   

22:42 - Dubai’s Financial Hubs: What are the DIFC and AGM? 

25:35 - Business Tax in the UAE: How Corporate Tax Works 

28:45 - How to Become Tax Resident in Dubai: Key Tips and the Pitfalls to Avoid 

40:16 - Safety in the UAE: How safe is Dubai Compared to the UK? 

49:55 - Schooling for Expat Families: What are the Options and Costs? 

52:16 - Cost of Living: Is Dubai as Expensive as You Think? 

54:20 - Pet-Friendly Dubai: Rental Rules and Doggy Day Care  

57:12 - Top 3 Tips for Successfully Relocating to Dubai 

*NB This episode refers to exchange rates. At the time of release (July 2025) this was 1 Pound Sterling (£) to 5.02 Emirati Dirham (AED).   

[Disclaimer] 

This Podcast is published for the information of clients and contacts. By accessing this Podcast, you acknowledge that SRLV LLP makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured and contained within this Podcast. The information, opinions and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance you place on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast provides only an overview of the regulations in force at the date of publication, and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed legislation or seeking professional advice. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Therefore, no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material contained within this Podcast can be accepted by the authors, hosts, guests or SRLV LLP. The views that are expressed in the podcast are that of individuals and not SRLV LLP's own. SRLV LLP makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. SRLV LLP expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, reliance on or inability to use, this Podcast or the information presented within. 

Prefer to watch? Head over to our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.  

Not Just a Number is a podcast for entrepreneurs, creatives and industry pioneers who want to grow businesses and protect what matters most to them and to their families.

Produced by SRLV - one of London’s leading boutique advisory firms - the show goes far beyond tax and accounting to bring a unique perspective on business, innovative thinking and leadership from the people shaping global industries, including music, entertainment, technology, consumer brands, and private wealth.

Each episode’s candid conversation focuses on personal stories, business strategies, top tips and trends - from scaling up companies and international relocations to creative rights and real-world business growth.

Whether they are clients or professional contacts, all our guests are friends of our business and so much more than “just a number”. People and relationships always come first at SRLV.

In this episode of Not Just a Number, host Adam Stanley, Director at SRLV, sits down with Bronagh Monahan and Elspeth Rae - the pioneering founders of MonRae, a creator-led talent management agency representing some of the biggest names in the digital media arena, including DanTDM and TommyInnit, which keeps to it’s core values. 

Together, they share their origin story of how their careers have evolved, working with BBC Studios, Endemol Shine, and Gleam, and ultimately led them to launch a company that’s breaking the mould in the digital-first talent, YouTube, and creator economy space. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• What creator-first talent management is and how MonRae is helping to redefine it 
• How Bronagh and Elspeth have helped develop digital talent into multi-platform brands, spanning TV, live tours, books, and merchandise
• The business strategy behind MonRae Productions and MonRae Editions, and creating IP that crosses traditional and digital boundaries
• What it really takes to scale a modern talent agency without compromising on mental health, lifestyle, or personal values
• How female founders in the media industry are supporting each other through female-led support structures, collectives and mentorship   

Key moments in this episode:  

0:00 - Introducing Bronagh Monahan and Elspeth Rae 

2:27 - Early Careers and Representing Digital-First Talent   

4:15 - Identifying a Gap for Creator Management and Developing New IP  

7:02 - Building a Creator-Led Talent Management Agency 

13:09 - Finding the Right Balance When Scaling a Creative Business 

15:47 - The Impact of Digital Content on Traditional Media 

21:27 - What does Creator-First Mean and Redefining Creator-First Talent 

30:15 - Evolving Digital and Traditional Talent 

36:00 - Expanding IP with MonRae Editions  

39:55 - Saying Yes to New Things and Launching MonRae Productions 

43:12 - Navigating the Production Risks and Opportunities 

45:56 - Exploring New Areas & Future IP  

48:44 - Digital Media Trends and the Face of Future Talent 

52:21 - Business Tips for Female Entrepreneurs in the Media Industry 

57:33 - The Importance of Mentorship for Female Entrepreneurs 

[Disclaimer] 

This Podcast is published for the information of clients and contacts. By accessing this Podcast, you acknowledge that SRLV LLP makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured and contained within this Podcast. The information, opinions and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance you place on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast provides only an overview of the regulations in force at the date of publication, and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed legislation or seeking professional advice. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Therefore, no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material contained within this Podcast can be accepted by the authors, hosts, guests or SRLV LLP. The views that are expressed in the podcast are that of individuals and not SRLV LLP's own. SRLV LLP makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. SRLV LLP expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, reliance on or inability to use, this Podcast or the information presented within. 

Prefer to watch? Head over to our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.  

Not Just a Number is a podcast for entrepreneurs, creatives and industry pioneers who want to grow businesses and protect what matters most to them and to their families.

Produced by SRLV - one of London’s leading boutique advisory firms - the show goes far beyond tax and accounting to bring a unique perspective on business, innovative thinking and leadership from the people shaping global industries, including music, entertainment, technology, consumer brands, and private wealth.

Each episode’s candid conversation focuses on personal stories, business strategies, top tips and trends - from scaling up companies and international relocations to creative rights and real-world business growth.

Whether they are clients or professional contacts, all our guests are friends of our business and so much more than “just a number”. People and relationships always come first at SRLV.

Not Just a Number is a podcast for entrepreneurs, creatives and industry pioneers who want to grow businesses and protect what matters most to them and to their families.

Produced by SRLV - one of London’s leading boutique advisory firms - the show goes far beyond tax and accounting to bring a unique perspective on business, innovative thinking and leadership from the people shaping global industries, including music, entertainment, technology, consumer brands, and private wealth.

Each episode’s candid conversation focuses on personal stories, business strategies, top tips and trends - from scaling up companies and international relocations to creative rights and real-world business growth.

Whether they are clients or professional contacts, all our guests are friends of our business and so much more than “just a number”. People and relationships always come first at SRLV.

Not Just a Number is a podcast for entrepreneurs, creatives and industry pioneers who want to grow businesses and protect what matters most to them and to their families.

Produced by SRLV - one of London’s leading boutique advisory firms - the show goes far beyond tax and accounting to bring a unique perspective on business, innovative thinking and leadership from the people shaping global industries, including music, entertainment, technology, consumer brands, and private wealth.

Each episode’s candid conversation focuses on personal stories, business strategies, top tips and trends - from scaling up companies and international relocations to creative rights and real-world business growth.

Whether they are clients or professional contacts, all our guests are friends of our business and so much more than “just a number”. People and relationships always come first at SRLV.