Durham University

Our event organisers

James Needle, Dubai, UAE
Combined Social Science, Grey College, 2007

Connect with James:
  

Employer:  DMCC  
Durham Activities: College Rugby, Hill vs. Bailey Rugby, Combined Colleges Cricket  
Interests: Rugby, cricket, tennis, squash, running  

 

What are your fondest memories of Durham?
The majority of my fondest memories revolve around playing sport for both my college and the University.  In particular during my first year  I was a member of the Grey team that won the rugby floodlit cup and I also played for the Hill team in the first ever Hill v Bailey charity rugby fixture . The following year I was privileged to be captain of the winning Hill team.  I was also lucky enough to tour Sri Lanka with the Combined Colleges cricket team. 

What kind of people make up the Durham alumni community in your area? Are they expatriates or locals?
The majority of the alumni are expats working in the Legal, Financial, Oil & Gas and Construction sectors.

What do you love most about your current location?
Dubai is an absolutely fantastic place to live and work. There is always something new happening in the region and it is currently on a high having been confirmed as the host the World Expo in 2020.
Dubai has set itself incredibly high standards of safety, cleanliness and quality of recreational activities which could see you on the beach in the morning, skiing in the world’s largest indoor ski slope in the afternoon, shopping in the worlds’ largest Mall and then enjoying dinner in the evening whilst watching the world’s largest water fountain display in front of the world’s tallest building.