Lord Brian Wilkie’s vision transcends the ordinary. He is positioned at the nexus of sustainability, climate change, and technological evolution, passionately weaving the future to serve humanity better.
Since 1976, Brian (as he prefers) has called Dubai his home, emerging as a distinguished entrepreneur with landmark ventures like Wilkie’s Wine Bars – the Gulf’s first wine bars – and Memo Express, Dubai’s pioneering motorcycle messenger service. He also spearheaded Universal Express, a courier firm with footprints in Dubai, Singapore, and Nairobi, and Enviroserve, which focuses on recycling e-waste, among other products, underscoring his commitment to environmental sustainability.
Beyond his business acumen, he’s played pivotal roles in community and business leadership, notably as former Chairman of the British Business Group of Dubai and Northern Emirates (now the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai). His contributions extend to the cultural sphere with the foundation of the Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre (DUCTAC) and the charity Gulf for Good. His extensive contributions to business and charity in the UAE earned him an MBE from Queen Elizabeth in 2008.
Delving into Brian’s early life reveals a tapestry of cultural transitions and resilience. Born in India and relocating to England at four, he experienced a stark shift: “I was born in India and moved back to England when I was four; it was a huge shock to live in an estate in Reading in Berkshire.” The premature loss of his father, an entrepreneur who passed away at 53 due to heart problems, deeply influenced him: “I saw what you had to do to make a business successful; he died when he was 53 of heart problems, which had always been one reason why I’ve tried to keep fit all these years.”
His youth was marked by an insatiable curiosity and a yearning for adventure: “I had a wanderlust. From the beginning, I remember Dad caught me once when I was about seven, cycling miles away. And when I was 12, I was hitchhiking up to London to see the sights on weekends.” His exploratory nature led him to Australia at 17, where he embarked on a journey of self-discovery and professional development: “As soon as I left school at 17, after A-levels, I emigrated to Australia.” It was there he realized his knack for communication and sales, “I discovered I could talk to people and sell them, make money out of it.”
Curious about the intersection of his adventurous spirit and entrepreneurial success, I ask Brian how these traits influenced his business ventures. His response is both swift and profound: “Very much so! In business, I’ve always been the first.” He details pioneering initiatives in Dubai, from the first door-to-door sales operation to establishing the city’s inaugural wine bar, Wilkie’s Wine Bar, and launching EnviroServe, the first major recycler. “I’ve always believed that if you can do something first and do it well, you can capture that market and keep it to yourself,” he shares, emphasizing the importance of innovation and ethical business practices in forging a lasting impact. Reflecting on the double-edged sword of pioneering, he acknowledges the challenges of being ahead of the curve, citing a personal example where technological advances eclipsed his forward-thinking project. “Learning from mistakes is crucial, though I haven’t always done so,” Brian admits, highlighting the learning curve inherent in innovation. Yet, he remains optimistic, comparing the entrepreneurial journey to the relentless pursuit of excellence in sports: “They miss far more shots than they make, but without attempting, they’d never score at all.” This encapsulates his philosophy that the pursuit of the novel and the commitment to doing it well is central to both personal and professional triumph.
Our conversation turned to his ventures in the arts, revealing his serendipitous path to philanthropy through a heartfelt experience that reshaped his perspective. “I dressed up as Santa at the then Aseef School for special needs kids, and seeing the joy on their faces, it touched something in me,” he shares, detailing the pivotal moment that deepened his and his wife Sami’s engagement in community and arts initiatives within Dubai. He recounts the creation of DUCTAC, spurred by a simple yet transformative question: “Why don’t we have a proper theatre in Dubai?” This initiative burgeoned into a cultural cornerstone for Dubai, boasting a 540-seater theatre among other amenities and standing as a beacon of his and the community’s ambition to enrich the city’s cultural fabric for over a decade.
Acknowledging DUCTAC’s impact, I note its unique blend of authenticity and community spirit. Brian reflects on its inclusive legacy, underscoring his commitment to nurturing a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape, a commitment that has left a lasting imprint on Dubai’s artistic community.
Our dialogue ventures into his green initiatives, notably the founding of EnviroServe, born from a chance proposal by Stuart Fleming to recycle refrigerant gases in line with new environmental laws. Initially hesitant, conversations with his wife, Sami, ignited his commitment to environmental stewardship, fueled by a frustration with the lack of action on sustainability: “There’s not enough being done to help the environment here,” he says, driven by the urgent need for better recycling efforts. Notably, Enviroserve is being acquired by two sovereign wealth funds from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with plans for expansion for Brian and Stuart’s original vision as a future UAE hub for all sorts of recycling.
EnviroServe quickly grew beyond its initial focus, tackling electronic waste and becoming a trailblazer in the Middle East’s recycling efforts. Despite challenges, including competition from former employees, his leadership was instrumental in reshaping regional perspectives on waste management and sustainability, leading to significant legislative and societal shifts towards environmental responsibility.
Brian’s personal journey, from keeping an iPhone 6 for nine years to embracing sustainable consumer habits, mirrors his broader advocacy for a pragmatic yet hopeful approach to environmental challenges. He shares insights from a tourism presentation for Nepal for poorer Asian countries, proposing a tourist tax for local environmental projects, and showcasing innovative thinking in addressing global sustainability issues.
Echoing his insights, I emphasize the need for sustainability to be economically viable, advocating for reevaluating global incentives to favor environmental preservation. Brian’s experiences and proposals highlight a proactive and thoughtful engagement with the pressing environmental issues of our time, advocating for significant change in how we view and manage our relationship with the planet.
He shares a hopeful vision for the future, balanced by realism and a deep faith in human potential. He anticipates technological transformations but values the enduring significance of community and the natural world. He emphasizes optimism for equitable global progress, “I do believe in equality of opportunity,” showcasing his commitment to global education and better living standards.
Discussing techno-colonialism, Brian humorously ponders a future where tech corporations govern territories, potentially reducing conflict: “So, that might not necessarily be a bad thing.” This idea becomes a broader reflection on digital advancements versus the timeless value of human connections and ethics. He champions the cultivation of these essential qualities, sharing his personal mission “to help and inspire everyone including me, to live better, enjoy life more, and succeed on their terms.” Through initiatives like offering scholarships in Portsmouth, he’s actively working towards a world where technology enhances, rather than eclipses, our humanity.
Putting Brian into a time machine to take him to his 100th birthday, I’m curious to know his vision. He shares his aspirations to be “healthy, happy, and a hundred.” Despite recent health issues, he’s determined to maintain an active lifestyle, including triathlon participation. He envisions celebrating this milestone at home with friends, reflecting on a life well-lived and his contributions towards making the world a better place. “I’ve had a good life; I want more of the same for me and everybody else,” he declares, emphasizing his desire for peace and prosperity against global challenges.
Lord Wilkie’s hope for peace resonates with my own vision of moving beyond profit-driven motives to a world where people, profit, planet, purpose, and peace – the five Ps – reign supreme. As our discussion winds down, his unwavering optimism and dedication to sustainability, combating climate change, and prioritizing humanity in the face of technological progress leave a lasting impression.
