- For professionals, it’s a chance to explore new opportunities in places they might not have considered before.
- Banks are under pressure to move faster with things like AI, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital platforms.
Not too long ago, Singapore was the obvious home for banking innovation in Asia. It had the infrastructure, the talent, and the reputation as the region’s fintech capital. But lately, there’s been a shift — and if you’re working in tech or hiring in this space, you’ve probably noticed it too.
One big signal? Standard Chartered’s transformation chief moving from Singapore to the UAE. It’s the kind of move that seems small from the outside, but for those of us paying attention to hiring trends and digital transformation, it says a lot.
Because when top leaders move, strategies follow. And with that, tech hiring priorities often change too.
When leaders relocate, tech teams follow
In banking, where digital transformation is still a top agenda item, leadership plays a huge role in shaping what gets built and where. So it’s rarely random when executives leading digital and tech initiatives shift their base from one region to another. It usually points to where the next wave of investment and growth is heading.
In this case, it looks like more and more global banks are putting serious focus on the UAE. Not just as a regional outpost, but as a place to anchor major tech projects.
And that’s having a ripple effect on hiring. Teams are being formed around leaders. Roles that would have once gone to Singapore or London are now showing up in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For job seekers, this changes the map.
Why UAE? And why now?
A few things are happening at once. For starters, the UAE has been making a big push to attract global business and tech talent. Innovation hubs like DIFC and Hub71 are more than just shiny branding. They’re well-funded, well-supported ecosystems.
On top of that, the lifestyle, tax benefits, and international mix in cities like Dubai are drawing people in. Not just from Asia, but from Europe and North America too. For many, it offers a balance of fast growth and stability.
Meanwhile, banks are under pressure to move faster with things like AI, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital platforms. So when they see an opportunity to scale those efforts in a business-friendly environment, they take it.
Roles that would have once gone to Singapore or London are now showing up in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It’s that simple.
What this means for tech roles
So what kind of tech talent are banks looking for as they build up their UAE operations?
We’re seeing a steady rise in demand for cloud engineers and DevOps specialists. AI and machine learning engineers are also on the radar, especially those with experience in financial services. Cybersecurity experts remain critical, with a focus on proactive risk and data protection strategies.
Banks are also hiring product and digital design teams to lead mobile-first experiences. And there’s increasing need for data analysts with strong backgrounds in risk, compliance, and personalisation.
These aren’t support functions. They’re central to the future of banking. And many of these roles are now being based in the UAE, not just because of cost or convenience, but because that’s where the decisions and innovation are happening.
A challenge for employers
For companies, this shift creates new questions. Should they centralise more roles in the UAE? Or keep teams distributed across Singapore, India, the UK, and other key markets?
So far, most are opting for a hybrid setup. They’re keeping engineering or operational roles in traditional hubs, while building strategic and innovation-led teams around their UAE leadership.
That also means rethinking relocation support, remote work policies, and how they market the UAE to tech candidates.
Some professionals still carry outdated assumptions about the region. But once they see the scope of work, the global teams, and the lifestyle, many are not just open to the idea — they’re excited by it.
More choices for tech talent
From the candidate’s perspective, all of this opens up more options. The UAE is no longer just a stopover for executives. It’s turning into a place where meaningful, high-impact tech work gets done.
We’re talking to more candidates who hadn’t considered the Middle East before, but now see it as a serious option. Not just because of the competitive salaries and tax perks, but because they want to be involved in transformation at scale.
And yes, the sunshine and strong expat communities are definite bonuses.
The bigger picture
At first glance, leadership relocation might seem like just an internal reshuffle. But in banking, these moves often signal bigger changes — especially when they involve digital transformation leaders.
Right now, the momentum is shifting. The UAE is investing heavily in becoming a global digital banking and fintech hub. Banks are responding to that with leadership moves, hiring shifts, and major projects launching out of the region.
Singapore isn’t going anywhere. It remains a critical player in the global financial landscape.
But we’re seeing a more distributed future — one where tech teams, decision-makers, and innovation projects are less tied to one geography.
For companies, this means adapting hiring and team structures. For professionals, it’s a chance to explore new opportunities in places they might not have considered before. Either way, it’s worth watching.
Because sometimes, when a leader moves, it’s not just a new office. It’s the start of something bigger.
- Vahid Haghzare is the Director at Silicon Valley Associates Recruitment.