Expereo’s Culture Code: Winning the UAE Tech Talent War

DUBAI, UAE – December 04, 2025

In the hyper-competitive landscape of the United Arab Emirates' technology sector, where attracting and retaining top-tier talent is a constant battle, global managed network provider Expereo has just revealed its most potent strategic asset: its culture. The company announced it has earned the prestigious 2025–2026 Great Place To Work UAE Certification™, a recognition based not on executive proclamations, but entirely on confidential employee feedback. With an impressive 94% of its UAE-based staff affirming that Expereo is a great place to work—a figure three points above the regional benchmark—the certification sends a clear signal to the market: a people-first philosophy is no longer a perk, but a powerful engine for business disruption and growth.

For a company operating at the complex intersection of global connectivity, cloud services, and cybersecurity, this achievement is far more than a simple HR accolade. It’s a testament to a deliberate, long-term strategy that is paying dividends in one of the world's most dynamic business hubs.

A New Benchmark for Tech Workplaces

The Great Place To Work® Certification™ is globally recognized as the definitive 'employer-of-choice' standard. Unlike other awards, it cannot be bought; it must be earned through the anonymous, unfiltered experiences of employees. The process hinges on the Trust Index™ survey, which measures credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie within an organization. For Expereo to achieve this on its first attempt in the UAE is a significant milestone.

“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that reflects consistent and intentional commitment to the employee experience,” explained Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work®, in a statement. “By earning this honor, Expereo has clearly distinguished itself as one of the best companies to work for, offering an outstanding workplace environment.”

This distinction is particularly critical in the UAE, a region undergoing rapid digital transformation. Government initiatives and private sector investment are fueling an insatiable demand for skilled professionals in areas like cloud computing, AI, and network architecture. In this environment, companies are in a fierce race for talent, and a certified positive culture becomes a formidable competitive advantage. Research from Great Place To Work® validates this, indicating that job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great manager at a certified workplace, and that current employees are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work—a key factor in retention and productivity.

Beyond Connectivity: Culture as a Growth Engine

While the certification highlights the internal environment, its true impact resonates in Expereo’s external performance. The company is a global leader in the burgeoning Network as a Service (NaaS) market, a sector projected to grow exponentially from around $15 billion in 2024 to over $130 billion by 2032. This growth is driven by the mass migration to cloud services, the proliferation of IoT devices, and the rollout of 5G technology—trends that are especially pronounced in the Middle East.

Expereo has been a key player in this regional evolution for 14 years, having established its Dubai office in Dubai Internet City around 2011. Its commitment deepened in 2021 with the opening of a 10,000 sq. ft. Customer Support Excellence Center, which now houses over 100 experts from 18 nationalities. This investment underscores the UAE's role as a strategic hub for its global operations, which serve 60% of Fortune 500 companies across 190 countries.

This is where the link between culture and commerce becomes explicit. Ben Elms, CEO of Expereo, emphasized this connection, stating, “When we opened our Dubai office 14 years ago, our goal was to build an exceptional team and a workplace where people enjoy the colleagues they work with, embrace our culture, and deliver outstanding service every day.”

His sentiment is echoed by Raed Rached, Expereo Managing Director for the UAE, who commented, “Our people are at the heart of Expereo’s success regionally and globally. This recognition reflects their dedication, resilience, and commitment to excellence.” In the NaaS industry, where solutions like SD-WAN and SASE demand complex integration and constant support, a highly engaged and motivated team directly translates to a superior customer experience, faster problem resolution, and more innovative solutions—key differentiators that drive market share.

The Human-Centric Blueprint

Expereo's certification was not a matter of chance but the result of concrete, human-centric initiatives rolled out over the past year. These programs form a blueprint for how to build a thriving workplace culture.

The Expereo Heroes & Recognition Awards formalize appreciation by celebrating top performers in quarterly all-hands meetings led by the CEO, fostering a culture where excellence is visible and valued. Looking toward the future, the Talent & Future Leaders Program creates clear pathways for internal advancement, demonstrating a commitment to growing talent from within rather than merely acquiring it.

Perhaps most telling is the company’s focus on holistic well-being. Its Employee Wellbeing Initiatives move beyond traditional benefits to include expert-led sessions on mental, emotional, and financial health. This comprehensive support system acknowledges that an employee’s well-being outside of work directly impacts their performance and engagement at work.

Furthermore, Expereo extends its values into the community. The Dubai office’s partnership with the Beit Al Khair Society for its global charity day is a prime example. By contributing to one of the UAE’s most established humanitarian organizations—which provides aid to millions—the company fosters a sense of purpose and social responsibility among its employees. This alignment with a respected local institution deepens its roots in the region and reinforces a culture of giving back.

In an era where technology often threatens to dehumanize business, Expereo is proving that investing in people is the most advanced strategy of all. Its success in the UAE offers a powerful lesson for business leaders everywhere: a high-trust, high-performance culture is not just a byproduct of success, but the very foundation upon which sustainable growth is built.