Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Tim Casben, Gowling WLG

Date: 20 Nov 2024

Karen Jones

This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Tim Casben, Managing Partner (UAE) at Gowling WLG.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.

I head up the Middle East offices for Gowling WLG and also head the Corporate team.

What does a typical day look like for you?

It tends to start early to try to avoid the traffic.  The challenge is always balancing client work which takes priority, business development and management responsibilities.  We have grown significantly in the last 24 months so a lot of time has been invested in meeting prospective recruits, cultural fit is key to our success.

Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.

We have been doing an increasing amount of work for an Abu Dhabi fund which is investing in new technologies across the globe and typically looking at licencing the technology for manufacturing in the region.  The work is interesting and the technologies fascinating as they are often a glimpse into the future.

What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?

Most of our clients are incredibly busy and therefore time poor.  Timely responses and ensuring that we lighten the load by either addressing issues or preferably anticipating them in advance.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Being instrumental in building the firm’s presence in the UAE, we are over 50 people now in the UAE and are applying for our licence in KSA, it has not been easy at times operating in an emerging market but the UAE is extremely well positioned for growth and I am excited by the continued opportunity to build out our regional capabilities.   I also take pride in the quality of the team on the ground and their collective energy and enthusiasm

What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?

Integrity is fundamental, in our profession providing a platform for people to reach their potential, ensuring that you are operating in a respectful and safe environment and leading not managing.

Who do you most admire and why?

If I was to pick a person today,  it would be Bryn Parry the co-Founder of Help for Heroes who tragically passed away.  What he achieved was incredible over a short space of time, he was incredibly tenacious, selfless and a true leader.  I was extremely fortunate to get to know him.

Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?

Toronto for work, I was speaking at a Canada Arab Business Forum event regarding the increasing trade opportunities between Canada and the UAE in a changing political environment

If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?

I would have been a successful tech entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, but here I am…….

How do you relax after a long day?

A glass of wine, catching up with my wife over dinner and far too often falling asleep in front of some rather average TV