The Captain’s Table - Dubai Stories

Josh Mitchell lives and breathes rugby been in Dubai for just over a year and been heavily involved in all aspects of the game here in the UAE

Former Teacher now Dubai Life Saving Surf legend starting his new business helping the kids of Dubai learn to swim ..

Ted Tots the number one Producer for The Captain's Table come out from behind the screen to tell us his interesting story of life in Dubai..

Simon Cook goes into detail on how a successful business was cropped by the COVID lockdown and how they treated water to get through and restart operations

Sports Administrator with an amazing resume working for the Australian Sports Commission at the Olympics, International Rugby and the International Cricket Council now a happy Dubai Resident

Pearce has been a trailblazer in international business having worked and lived across Russia, Asia and the Middle East for most of the last 30 years. He earned an early reputation of a Russia specialist since the fall of the Soviet Union having lived in Moscow, Samara, Ekaterinburg, Vologda, Kursk and Tula from 1993 to 1995 and again in Moscow from 2003 to 2005. This time gave Pearce a rare insight to the bureaucratic workings of the Russian government as he worked on the State Asset Privatization Program during the tumultuous years of the poet Soviet era initially and later as the youngest Market Head in the history of Nestle. The initial years in Russia were formative for Pearce and led him to giving up a legal career in Ireland to follow the expatriate path – a path he has to date not left.

An optimist, an idealist and lover of life, a relentless advocate for transformational change in everything around him he takes innovation and positive people and bring the energy for success. He believes in supercharging companies and inspiring them to achieve their vision. Coming from a family of Irish entrepreneurs Billy's father gave him a strong foundation of integrity and hard work. A passion for people made him a born business developer but with a passion for identifying and investing in scalable businesses began with the successful takeover of Megarme LLC in 2006 . Spearheading innovation across multi disciplines, Megarme grew from a Small Dubai based SME to a GCC wide, award winning Industry leader. This lead to an even more successful exit to a global multinational 7 years later. This energy has taken him on an exciting rollercoaster journey covering Continents and Industries, from Commercial Property Development and Investment to Business Advisory & Coaching. Most recently the exciting and disruptive world of Digitalization with the team at Urban Surveys

A qualified Landscape Architect, James has been designing and building well recognised projects for over 20 years. His experience spans all property sectors including work managing the design and development of luxurious private estates. This experience is a key contributor towards the strategic progression, business development and design direction for Urban Landscapes.

About Raw Coffee UAE's first roastery to offer 100% organic and fair-trade coffee, Raw is trailblazing the “Third Wave” specialty coffee movement in the Middle East. The company sources and roasts Grade 1 specialty beans from around the world to produce five premium blends and fifteen single origin coffee strains. Through an efficient logistics operation, the company delivers its coffee to commercial cafes and restaurants weekly to ensure freshness. As an end-to-end solution, Raw supports the sale of coffee beans through the provision of hands-on barista training, customer service, equipment and maintenance to ensure raw perfection in every cup. About Matt New Zealand native, Matt Toogood is a co-founder of Raw Coffee Company, a family owned and operated business. Established in Dubai in 2008, they source the best quality, organic and ethically traded green beans and roasting by origin in a custom warehouse in Al Quoz, RAW currently supply over 200 cafes, restaurants and businesses in the GCC. RAW also offer SCAE accredited coffee training courses at their facility, for both experienced coffee professionals and for domestic customers who have an appreciation for the green bean. The Roastery in Al Quoz is open every from 8am to 5pm, with a busy espresso bar where customers can drop in and enjoy a cup of the best coffee in the UAE.

Apollo Perelini played for St. Helens in the Championship and the Super League. He also played for Sale Sharks in the Zurich Championship and North Harbour in New Zealand. Perelini played both prop and second-row in league, but just as a back row player in union. In the 1991 Rugby Union World Cup he played as an open side flanker, in the Samoans' four games (against Scotland, Wales, Argentina and Australia). During the World Cup he gained the nickname of 'Terminator' for his fierce, hard-hitting tackling technique. In 1994 he received an approach from St. Helens to play rugby league in England. At first he rejected it, but finally agreed. In 1995 he played for rugby league for Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup, making him the first Samoan to play in World Cups in both codes. Perelini played for St Helens at prop in the 1996 Challenge Cup Final, scoring a try in the last minutes and helping his team to a 40-32 victory over the Bradford Bulls.[2] At the end of Super League's first season, Perelini was named at prop in the 1996 Super League Dream Team. Apollo Perelini played left-prop, i.e. number 8, in St. Helens' 16-25 defeat by Wigan in the 1995–96 Regal Trophy Final during the 1995–96 at Alfred McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield on Saturday 13 January 1996.[3] Perelini played for St Helens at prop in their 1999 Super League Grand Final victory over Bradford Bulls, having won this they contested in the 2000 World Club Challenge against National Rugby League Premiers the Melbourne Storm, with Perelini playing from the interchange bench in the loss. He also played for St. Helens at prop in their 2000 Super League Grand Final victory over Wigan Warriors. At the age of 33, after finishing his rugby league playing career, he returned to rugby union to play for the Sale Sharks. After retiring from playing he joined the Sale's Coaching staff. In 2004 he returned to St Helens as the team's Head of Strength and Conditioning and Skills coach. Apollo helped St Helens to 4 Challenge Cup titles 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008. 4 League Leaders titles 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. 1 World Club Championship 2007. 1 Grand Final Winners 2006, and also picking up the prestigious BBC sports Team Of The Year in 2006.[4] He now lives in Dubai where he was formerly the Director of Sport at Repton School Dubai, a private school. He currently runs two sporting Academies - Apollo Perelini Rugby Skills Academy (www.aprsa.com) and JETS (a female football academy), at an increasing number of venues around the emirate. Apollo is also the current head coach of the UAE National Rugby team, a position which he started in 2015 for the UAERF

Rick set this company up in early 2013 after a long career in teaching in New Zealand, UK and here in the UAE. He wanted a change of job and saw an opportunity to do something completely different, yet something that he believed that he could do very well. He started it up because after moving multiple times in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He saw a need for a company to provide: • Quality personalised professional service • Reliable systems that work • Easy to deal with management and team • Moves at realistic and fair prices • Really effective communication throughout the entire process • Care and understanding of how fragile and precious items should be wrapped • Trained staff who knew how to do their jobs – not casual ‘stand in' staff who don't know how to pack a house He relies heavily on word-of-mouth referrals (Most of the business is referral—based) so he makes sure that he provides excellent service to each customer they move.

Great chat with Bachi Spiga - DHL Express in the Middle East

Cycling Entrepreneur Wolfi - chats about the development of the cycling culture in Dubai

John Deykin - Great chat with a an exceptional Guest

Understanding Crypto Currency and NFT's with Dubai's own Tech Guru. Chief Technical Officer/Co founder at Terra Virtua

Naz Musa - Entrepreneurial Founder with Global Experience

Greg Boucher - CEO MEFITPRO

Ian Ohan - Founder & Chief Executive at KRUSH BRANDS United Arab Emirates

Fleur Healy - Eco Warrior

If you are not hungry after listening to this episode something seriously wrong!

Great chat with Sandy Stirling on a great personal journey

Inspirational discussion with Candy Fanucci of Pirates Surf Rescue Team on #thecaptainstablepodcast this week; #piratessurfdubai

The lads had a great chat with Guy on his amazing journey from Dog Shows in Auckland to opening the Coca - Cola Arena in Dubai - with may interesting stories in between...

The lads change location and hit the studio as they take the podcast a step up

A firm favourite on Dubai's media circuit, Tom Urquhart regularly features on the UAE's most influential Brit lists. A talented broadcaster and former international print journalist, Tom has worked both on the airwaves and in front of the camera in numerous roles over the past decade. We had a great chat on Tom's early days and arrival to the UAE his time here and some of the interesting people he have met,

Due to so much good stuff the team broke the great story of Apollo Perelini down to two podcasts Part 1 - Rugby Union Part 2 - Rugby League

Great Chat with David on the Captains Table, on life and staying healthy for the 45 year plus man....

A great chat with David Howell and his Caddie Steve Brotherhood at Zabeel House By Jumeriah at the Greens. 

Great Stories with Clive Reed of his Expat Days in Uganda, Bahrain and the UAE. Meeting Idi Amin to the launch of Emirates Airlines just some of the amazing stories on the Captains table.....

Some great guys having a chat...

The Lads talk about 2020

The boys dig deep on the rugby World Cup draw, cricket and serious hi jinx

Episode 1 - we are online !!!