A Gibraltarian finance director based in Dubai who works in the online payments industry has been featured in this month’s global edition of the prestigious ACCA “Accounting & Business” Magazine.

Elaine Vasquez, who moved to Dubai in 2020, spoke to the magazine about her role as regional finance director for the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) at the global digital payments company Checkout.com. The company processes billions of payments for international brands including Adidas, Alibaba and Sony.

We caught up with Elaine to understand more about life abroad in Dubai…

YGTV: Tell us about your move to Dubai - why and when did this happen?

Elaine Vasquez: I moved to Dubai in 2020 after being contacted about a job opportunity. At the time, I was happy in my job and settled in Gibraltar, but on a personal level, I felt there was still so much more of the world to see and experience! Having lived in the UK for several years, I knew my next move needed to be somewhere a little warmer, and I had always been fascinated by the Middle East. So, when the opportunity came knocking, it was a chance I couldn’t turn down. It was, of course, a difficult decision – leaving family and friends behind to leap into the unknown is always intimidating – but as the saying goes, you only regret the things you didn’t do! I felt that relocating would challenge me to grow both personally and professionally, and it has, immensely.

YGTV: What is it like living and working there?

Elaine Vasquez: Living and working in Dubai is incredibly dynamic and fast-paced. The city has a constant buzz of activity. I’m not sure there is any other city in the world as diverse or that progresses as quickly. I’ve seen a notable change even since I first moved here – not only in the infrastructure but also in the population and, to some extent, the culture. After COVID, Dubai seemed to grow in popularity as a travel destination, which I think has helped to demystify some of the misconceptions people might have had about the city and the region in general. This has led to an influx of people, which has its pros and cons!

Dubai is a place where anything feels possible and where you can live as humbly or as extravagantly as your means allow. The city is safe, and people are respectful of all faiths and cultures, which is probably what I love most about it. Professionally, it’s rewarding to work in such a forward-thinking environment, where you can genuinely effect tangible change because things move so fast and everyone is so open-minded. The Middle East as a region is extremely diverse, especially in the payments industry, which is the field I work in. This has given me a steep learning curve but also significant growth and a real sense of achievement.

YGTV: What do you most miss about Gibraltar?

Elaine Vasquez: Gibraltar will always be home, and I visit often, so I make sure I never have time to miss it too much! While it’s exciting to live in a larger city, I do miss the close-knit community and the ease of being surrounded by familiar faces. Above all, though, I miss the Mediterranean and the view of the Strait of Gibraltar. That feeling of waking up and opening my window to a view of Gibraltar, Spain, and Morocco is unmatched anywhere I’ve lived. And those sunsets over the bay! Not even a view of Palm Jumeirah or the Burj Khalifa can beat the stunning natural beauty of Gibraltar – although, admittedly, the Dubai skyline at night is mesmerising.

I also miss being able to walk everywhere. I never thought I’d hear myself say this, as someone who used to jump on her moped to go 100 metres down the road, but I find myself really getting my steps in whenever I’m back home!

YGTV: How did the interview with Accounting and Business magazine come about?

Elaine Vasquez: The interview came about as a result of my contributions to the accounting and finance field in the region. I had the honour of presenting at several finance conferences in Dubai and Qatar. At one of these conferences last year, I met the Head of the ACCA Eurasia & Middle East. After chatting at the conference and catching up over coffee and at subsequent events, she was fascinated by my career and background and felt I’d be a great fit for a feature in the magazine. It was a fantastic opportunity to share my journey and insights and reflect on some of the experiences that have shaped who I am today.

YGTV: Do you have any advice for young Gibraltarians considering stepping outside of their comfort zone, as you did, to find work and opportunities abroad?

Elaine Vasquez: My advice would be to embrace the challenge wholeheartedly. Moving abroad is not without its difficulties, but the personal and professional growth you’ll experience is worth it. Be open to learning from others, really immerse yourself in new cultures, and build a strong network wherever you go. Most importantly, believe in your ability to adapt and succeed - stepping out of your comfort zone is where the magic happens.