Citywealth Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Andrew Horbury, Cavenwell Group
This week’s 60-second article is dedicated to Andrew Horbury, Founder and managing director at Cavenwell Group. The Founder and Managing Director of Cavenwell Group leads an owner managed, Dubai based fiduciary and corporate services business that works with international families, entrepreneurs, and high growth companies. Based in the Dubai International Financial Centre, they focus on cross border structuring, succession planning, and UAE relocations, from setting up family office and holding structures to supporting innovative blockchain ventures. Combining Jersey private wealth expertise with a Middle East base, they emphasise strong client relationships, whole of market advice, and a personal, calm approach to leadership and wellbeing.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
As the Founder and Managing Director of Cavenwell Group, I am responsible for steering the strategic direction of the business and overseeing its day-to-day management. My role ultimately centers around fostering and maintaining strong client relationships while ensuring our team delivers tailored, high-quality solutions to meet their needs.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Like many of my peers in this industry, there’s rarely such a thing as a “typical” day—especially in our business, where our diverse client base values our ability to respond quickly and flexibly to their needs.
My time is often divided between supporting our senior client management team, driving business development and growth strategies, meeting potential clients introduced by the exceptional tax and legal advisors we collaborate with, and attending board meetings for client entities. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities, which keeps my role dynamic and engaging.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
We’re fortunate to work with an incredibly diverse and fascinating client base, which keeps our work both varied and rewarding. Recently, we’ve had the opportunity to:
- Assist a prominent Middle Eastern family in establishing a family office and holding structure in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
- Support a multi-billion-dollar blockchain business in setting up an innovative foundation structure.
- Help a growing number of UK expat entrepreneurs and their families transition their personal and business affairs to the UAE.
What challenges do your clients face and how are yo helping your clients to overcome them?
Many of our clients face the dual challenge of navigating complex cross-border relocations and implementing robust succession planning structures to safeguard their wealth for future generations.
For those relocating to the UAE, we ensure a smooth transition by providing end-to-end support, from structuring their business and personal assets to navigating the regulatory landscape. For others, we assist in providing tailored succession planning solutions that facilitate intergenerational wealth transfer.
As a Dubai-based business with extensive international expertise, our clients value our ability to offer jurisdictionally agnostic, whole-of-market support.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
Without a doubt, founding Cavenwell Group is my proudest professional achievement. From the beginning, it was important to me that we remain owner-managed, free from the constraints and challenges often associated with external funding. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved in just three years and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Our success is a testament to the strength of our team, many of whom trained and qualified in Jersey and are now based in our Dubai offices. They are supported by innovative technology that helps us deliver exceptional service to our clients. I’m grateful every day to work alongside such talented individuals who share our vision for the future.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
A great leader must balance vision with empathy. The ability to inspire trust, set a clear direction, and adapt to changing circumstances is crucial. Equally important is fostering an environment where people feel valued and empowered to contribute their best. Leading by example, being authentic, and maintaining a focus on long-term goals for both our business and each member of our team are attributes I strive to embody every day.
Who do you most admire and why?
After three years of living in Dubai, I’ve developed a profound admiration for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. His visionary approach to leadership and the consistent execution of ideas that have turned Dubai into a global centre for innovation and commerce are truly inspiring. At Cavenwell, we share his ethos of embracing bold ideas and cultivating an environment where success can thrive.
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
Jersey in the Channel Islands. A place that was home for much of my life, and a place that continues to be very important for us and our clients.
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
I truly enjoy entrepreneurship, building businesses, and solving complex problems. If I weren’t in this industry, I’d likely be involved in another entrepreneurial venture where I could focus on creating, innovating, and finding solutions to challenges.
How do you relax after a long day?
For me, unwinding means embracing simplicity—whether it’s taking my dog out for a walk, feeding my koi fish, or enjoying a swim. I’ve learned that energy replenishes itself when you take the time to slow down and focus on the present. I think it’s important to take the time to do this to be able to perform at your very best.
Key Takeaways
- Andrew Horbury leads Cavenwell Group, a Dubai-based fiduciary and corporate services business focusing on international families and entrepreneurs.
- Horbury’s role involves strategic direction and fostering strong client relationships while managing daily operations.
- Cavenwell Group assists clients with family office setups, blockchain structures, and transitions to the UAE.
- Their clients face complexities in cross-border relocations and succession planning, which they help navigate with tailored solutions.
- Horbury admires Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his visionary leadership that has shaped Dubai into an innovation hub.
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