Whilst I hate to admit my age, I have 20 years experience in providing independent financial advice, the vast majority of this in the UK, a highly regulated environment. I hold the CII (Chartered Insurance Institute) Financial Planning Certificate, Advanced Financial Planning Certificate and various specialist diplomas and examinations and am a member of the Personal Finance Society.

There is little in the way of compliance and regulation in the UAE, so it is particularly important to ensure that you are entrusting your future to someone who is properly qualified, with more than the very minimum required to practice in a home country. My profession has been tarnished in the UAE by unscrupulous salespeople, but many of us are highly ethical in our working practices and guard our reputations carefully. I work with Holborn Assets LLC, an independent brokerage licenced by the Ministry of Economy in the UAE.

You can find more information about my professional background at www.LinkedIn.com/in/kerenbobker

I have run many workshops and seminars on financial planning issues for expats generally, and also for women specifically. There is never a charge for an initial meeting and I am always happy to meet for a chat to see how I can assist.

In addition to my main job as an Independent Financial Advisor, I write a column in the Personal Finance section of The National newspaper, published every Saturday, entitled On Your Side in which I resolve personal financial and consumer issues. I also write other financial articles for The National, have appeared in Gulf News on numerous occasions and now contribute to Esquire Middle East. I appear as a regular guest on the Nightline show on Dubai Eye 103.8FM, as well as other shows on the same station.

Email me at keren@holbornassets.com