July 08, 2025 • 3 min read
From Scotland to Qatar: A journey of growth
“If you’re open, respectful, and curious, you’ll find that life here has a lot to offer.”
When Sam Doig joined our team in Aberdeen, he didn’t imagine that just a few years later, he’d be living and working in Doha - navigating new cultures, growing professionally and helping his family settle into life in the Middle East.
In 2023, Sam joined the pre-award commercial strategy team. “That year laid the foundation for everything,” he says. “It gave me a solid understanding of how the business works - and prepared me for what came next.”
What came next was a nine-month role in our global transformation program, Pathway. “It gave me rare visibility into major projects across the business. But I knew I wanted to return to project delivery to keep growing.”
A new opportunity
While browsing the internal Talent Acquisition portal, Sam came across a Contract Manager role based in Doha. The chance to return to project execution, combined with his wife’s fond memories of living in Dubai, convinced him to apply.
The process moved quickly. “From application to mobilization took about three months,” Sam says. “And I had great support throughout.”
That support started with his team. “They were kind, helpful and incredibly supportive. They answered every question I had and connected me with the right people, which really helped set me up for success.” His internal network also played a part too. “They backed my move when I was transparent about wanting to go abroad. One colleague had lived internationally himself, and shared resources and cultural tips to help me settle in. That kind of support makes a huge difference.”
Starting fresh in Doha
Sam landed in Doha in November, giving himself a few months to get established before his family arrived. “I had about five months to find a place to live and a school for our daughters.”
While moving internationally brings challenges, the support made it manageable. “The People team was excellent. They walked me through every step of the residency process. The attestation phase is a bit of a marathon, but I never felt alone.”
By the time his wife and daughters joined him, everything was in place. “We had an apartment, a school for our daughters and even a job lined up for my wife, Hannah.”
Adjusting to life and work in the Middle East
For Sam, the adjustment wasn’t just logistical – it was cultural. But support came from across the region.
“From day one, the team was incredibly welcoming. They helped me embed professionally and understand the local work culture, which made navigating some of those initial cultural differences easier.”
Since then, his role has expanded rapidly. As Contracts Manager for the OKQU region, Sam now oversees contract administration across Qatar, Kuwait, UAE and hopefully, in time, Oman.
“I’m still based in Qatar, but I’m building my presence across the region,” he says. “It’s a long-term effort and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
A step in the right direction
Sam sees this move as part of a bigger picture, both professionally and personally. “We’re looking at this as a five-to-ten-year chapter. I want to build my experience across the Middle East, contribute to major projects and hopefully return to the UK with a broader, more global perspective.”
He’s clear that growth doesn’t just happen. “You make your own luck. Worley gave me the platform, but it was up to me to step into it. That’s what makes it even more meaningful.”
And for those thinking about following a similar path?
“Do your homework. If you’re moving with a family, sit down, run the numbers, think it through – cost of living, schools, support networks. Talk to people who’ve been there and done it. Most of all, be open-minded. Life here isn’t the same as back home - but that’s exactly the point. If you’re willing to respect the culture and embrace the difference, it can be life changing – in the best way.”
