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Made in Dubai with Spencer LodgeAuthor: Spencer Lodge
Formerly the Unscripted Podcast with Spencer Lodge Join Spencer Lodge as he connects with the most fascinating personalities in Dubai. A city that rose from the desert sands to become one of the most ambitious, innovative and inspiring places on Earth. Behind its glittering skyline are people with stories just as extraordinary - pioneers, dreamers and doers who dared to turn bold visions into reality. Made in Dubai is where those stories are told. Hosted by Spencer Lodge, each episode is a front-row seat to conversations with the people shaping the UAE's future from business leaders and record-breakers to cultural icons and creative disruptors. But this isn't just about their success. It's about the journey - the risks they took, the challenges they faced and the moments that defined them. It's about the unique magic of Dubai: a place where ambition meets opportunity, where cultures from around the world collide to create something truly special and where anything feels possible. Whether you're an entrepreneur searching for your next big move, someone curious about life in the UAE or simply in need of inspiration, Made in Dubai is your invitation to step inside this vibrant city and meet the people who make it remarkable. If it was made in Dubai, you'll hear it here. Language: en Genres: Education, Entertainment News, News, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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#394: "Technology Is NOT the Future of Education" - The CEO of 36 Schools, Alan Williamson on Education, Leadership & Sacrifice
Monday, 20 April, 2026
He grew up on a council housing estate in the Shetland Islands. His family were coal miners and civil servants. He had no connections, no privilege, and no clear path. Today, he runs one of the UAE's largest education groups — 36 schools, 36 nurseries, 50,000 students, and a publicly listed company worth over a billion dirhams. In this episode, Spencer sits down with Alan Williamson, CEO of Taaleem, for one of the most refreshingly honest conversations about education, leadership, and the cost of ambition. Alan doesn't sugarcoat anything. He'll tell you that technology is not the future of education. That exam should be deleted overnight. That his biggest leadership flaw is not listening. And that for all his professional success, the person he feels he's let down most is his whole family. From navigating a regional geopolitical crisis to making bold billion-dirham acquisitions, from the rugby field that gave him confidence to the boardroom decisions that kept him up at night, this is a conversation about what it really takes to lead at the highest level and what it quietly costs you. Whether you're a parent choosing a school, a leader questioning your own values, or someone who built everything from nothing and wonders if it was worth it, this episode will make you think. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introducing Alan and what makes him different from most CEOs 01:15 – What is Taaleem? 36 schools, 50,000 students, and a 21-year story 03:42 – How Dubai's inspection system turbocharges school quality like nowhere else in the world 07:53 – The international teacher recruitment crisis and why Dubai still wins 11:52 – How to actually choose the right school for your child in Dubai 17:48 – Are UAE school fees good value? The honest comparison with UK independent schools 22:22 – Leading through geopolitical crisis: sleepless nights, a billion-dirham bet, and staying calm 28:00 – Growth anxiety, M&A opportunities, and being the knight in shining armor 33:02 – Should schools be doing more to help struggling parents and entrepreneurs? 41:52 – Growing up on a council estate in Shetland: where his drive really came from 50:47 – Feeling like an outsider at university and how rugby changed everything 54:30 – The biggest sacrifice he made to be successful: missing family to referee international rugby 58:32 – Would he do it all the same way again? His most honest answer 01:01:13 – When his working-class values clashed with running a profit-driven company 01:05:21 – His most unpopular opinion: technology is NOT the future of education 01:09:06 – What great teachers actually do that most people forget 01:13:19 – How to prepare children for jobs that don't exist yet 01:16:49 – University vs. apprenticeships: why one path is not better than the other 01:18:39 – Quickfire: are exams outdated, what skill matters more than grades, and who should Spencer interview next? Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/ Follow Alan Williamson on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/alanwilliamsonceo/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alandwilliamson/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/taaleem/
