A Job In The Sun

Jun 29 2008

VIKKI MacQUEEN spent much of her childhood travelling with her family and this encouraged her sense of adventure.

Though born and bred in Troon, Ayrshire, she knew she'd end up working further afield. The 38-year-old runs a firm in Thailand, recruiting staff to work in construction throughout Asia.

SHE said: "I have the best of both worlds. My connections with home remain strong but I'm doing a job I love in an amazing setting."

When her father, an engineer, was based in Bangkok in the 90's. Vikki fell in love with Thailand. She said: "It's an amazing place, so chaotic yet developing, with great opportunities to work and travel.

"You can discover beautiful beaches and wonderful places just a stone's throw away."

Vikki moved to Thailand and, in 2002, set up the Omni Group, a successful two pronged business with more than 40 staff.

She said: "The first division of the company was born out of my marketing background and my experiences teaching English in language schools throughout Asia.

"It was always a major struggle getting people to communicate different concepts and work as a team. So I started training companies and business people in communication skills and presentation techniques."

With the business securing market-leading clients, Vikki rolled up her sleeves again and set up the recruitment division.

She said: "It's purely for the construction industry, sourcing middle to senior placements such as quantity surveyors, site and project managers.

"We have clients in the Middle East, India, Mauritius, Pakistan and the Caribbean and we send people from anywhere to everywhere.

"Companies are competitive and want to get the best people so they can offer fantastic packages including tax-free salaries, housing, relocation, flights and health insurance."

As well as her head office in Bangkok, Vikki also has an office in Scotland where prospective candidates and clients can also make contact. With a personal driver and maid, Vikki has a standard of living that would be hard to match in Britain.

She said: "I come back to Scotland several times a year but I consider Thailand home. I bought an apartment and car last year and that's a big commitment for me so I think I'll be there forever."

Visit www.omnithailand.com

"Great beaches are stone's throw away"