Stephen Carter, Chief Executive of London-listed publishing and events group Informa, has reportedly moved his residency from the UK to the UAE, joining a rising number of wealthy British residents relocating to the Emirates.

The move, first reported by the Financial Times, means the former aide to Gordon Brown will now run Informa from the UAE.

While the relocation is likely to provide tax advantages, the FT report did not detail other potential benefits for Carter, who is entitled to sit in the UK House of Lords as Baron Carter of Barnes.

Informa, which owns the global fintech and payments event Money20/20, also operates a joint venture to hold the conference in the Middle East, formerly known as 24Fintech, in Saudi Arabia.

The group has also partnered with Dubai World Trade Centre to consolidate regional operations, signaling a growing focus on the Middle East and wider Asia markets.

Informa’s 2024 results showed the GCC region as one of its fastest-growing markets, contributing significantly to overall revenue.

Carter’s move places him closer to Informa’s regional headquarters in the UAE, reflecting the company’s operational focus on overseeing its Middle East and Asia activities.

He joins other prominent executives relocating to the UAE, including Revolut founder Nik Storonsky, as the UAE becomes an increasingly popular base for internationally active business leaders.

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