PE-CXO’s Success Stories cast a spotlight on private equity-backed operators and the tools and tactics they leverage to create real value. In each entry, a world-class executive details a practical solution to a critical business issue. To be featured, contact mallory.stokker@pe-cxo.com with the subject line “Success Story.”
Executive: Justin Pateman, interim CFO for A Place for Mom and former finance director for Hellman Worldwide Logistics
Challenge: Working through the complex logistics of setting up and operating a business in an international location
Solution: Good relationships, patience, respect and other soft skills are critical in cutting through another country’s rules and regulations.
Wherever you go, you just have to be respectful.
I’m originally from the United Kingdom, and I’ve worked in international roles for the last 20 years.
One of the challenges for international CFOs is navigating the red tape in countries outside of the United States, Canada, and Europe. I dealt with this first hand when I moved to Dubai as the finance director for Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.
Dubai is a major logistical transit hub where the east meets the west, so to speak. It offers generous incentives to make it an attractive and advantageous place to situate an international company. It’s not exactly tax-free, but companies essentially receive a tax holiday and aren’t subject to taxes for 50 years, which helps boost your bottom line.
Because the United Arab Emirates has double tax treaties with a lot of countries, including the United King...