This Is Qatar

A devoted expat to the Qatar cause, Johanna Handley takes us on a journey of research and market analysis. Johanna give us insight into her love for Doha and passion for writing, albeit to starkly contrasting genres...

I can't believe we have completed our first season. Huge thanks to all out guests who took the time to give us their insight into business in Qatar and what they love about their adopted home.

Join us on TIQ Episode 11 with your Host Simon Joss as he interviews Nicky Summerbee, an English former professional footballer, sports television pundit and commentator. He notably played in the Premier League for Swindon Town, Manchester City and Sunderland, as well as in the Football League for Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest. Nicky and his family have called Doha their home for over 8 years and he tells us what makes Doha so social.

Join us on #TIQ with your Host Simon Joss as he interviews Natalie Clark, Country Manager for Reza Hygiene. Having spent 14 years in Qatar, Natalie has spent her career working across the construction and hygiene sectors, bringing drive and determination to her roles. Her success has been based on honesty, straight talking and her ability to get the maximum out of her team. Her journey is now set to continue back in the United Kingdom, where her creativity and speak for ideas are sure to see her success continue.

Warriorfit aim to disrupt an already tough market by offering clients combined classes focusing on endurance, flexibility and strength, all while tailored to the individual. Host Simon Joss discuss the impact COVID has had on their plans and how they aim to diversify and adapt.

Rathmore Consulting’s Managing Director Ronan Kelly is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators with 13 years’ industry experience. He has worked on a broad range of construction and civil engineering projects in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the Middle East, and has been working as a construction claims consultant based in Qatar for the last seven and a half years, including a Directorship role in a global consultancy prior to working with Rathmore Consulting. Ronan has extensive experience in the preparation of Extension of Time and prolongation claims, disruption claims, loss/expense claims, Variations and Claims defence, some of which have been prepared for Arbitral or litigation proceedings. Ronan has presented at a number of seminars organised by institutions such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), Constructing Excellence (UK) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) on topics related to claims and dispute resolution.

It’s been my Blairs role to mould a relatively small business into a rapidly growing, multi-sport retail, distribution and corporate supplier in Qatar. The rate of expansion brought challenges to their doorstep which the team were able to tackle with a head on & confident attitude given the strong presence in the region and host of incredible local partners. Without doubt, Qatar has one of the strongest and most exciting platforms in the world for any business, and in his four years it’s opened many doors, opportunities and people to cross his path that will be held close for the foreseeable future of Blairs business portfolio. Pro Sports continue to cast their nets over different sports, events and business to offer one of the only and best services of its kind in Qatar.

Stefan is the CEO/Owner of Ginger Camel LLC a film production company based here in Qatar. Stefan comes from a broadcasting background after qualifying at Ravensbourne TV College and going on to work for the likes of Quantel Systems, ITV, Sky, OSN, Aljazeera, and Aljazeera Sports. Since arriving in Qatar in 2006 as the following spouse Stefan has freelanced as a Holistic Masseur, Tech Op, Sports Producer, Producer then going into film production, where he was the GM at Resolution Productions and then going into partnership setting up LimeLight Productions and then going it alone with Ginger Camel in 2011 Ginger Camel in 2014 won the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Dolphin Award and various other awards for the QPost 3D Animation/Live Film Promo. In 2016 Stefan won the QBBF BusinessMan of The Year Award. Stefan launched his first podcast in 2014 with Doha Heat, which is a community podcast. In 2016 Stefan went onto launch Your Onion, which started off as a business podcast but now has developed into an all-round general podcast looking into business/people/general interests. In 2019 Stefan launched In The Game a sports podcast. Stefan in 2003 found the benefits of meditation and has been practicing since, you can find him on Instagram stories each morning talking about the benefits of meditation and being mindful on a daily basis.

Canadian born, Jeffrey has over 18 years of international banking experience, and has now been running his own businesses since 2009. He graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration Degree, the same year that he was awarded the Balfour Province Award by the Sigma Chi Fraternity, given to the most outstanding undergraduate in the fraternity in Ontario and Quebec, and followed this up with his CFA in 1993. During his banking career he has worked in such varied locations as Toronto, Hong Kong, Oman, Dubai, London, Beirut, Moscow and Qatar. Jeffrey has served on two philanthropic boards as well as the Association of European Business in Moscow and is the past president of the President of the Canadian Business Association in Qatar which he helped re-form in 2007, as well as a Board Member of the American School of Doha (ASD), and Chairman of the Business Development and Strategic Planning Committee of ASD. After leaving banking in 2008, Jeffrey formed the NelsonPark Group, with its main operating company, NelsonPark Property focusing on real estate in Qatar. A father of three children, Jeffrey lives in Doha, Qatar with his Australian wife Natascha and their daughters Isabella, Rebecca and Louisa.

Chris moved to Qatar at the young age of 22, diving straight into a new career at DeVere Group. 6 users on he tells us how those years have evolved and his progression through a tough industry.