Relocating to a new job and uprooting your family can be a daunting prospect with many things to consider, so it is vital you speak to the experts before the big move.
Icon Scotland (part of the Icon Relocation group) is a relocation and move management company that specialises in making the relocation process as seamless as possible for employees and their families.
David McWilliam, Icon Scotland’s sales director, has first-hand experience of moving countries in his role. In fact, in the spring, he relocated from Swindon in Wiltshire to Aberdeen when Icon Scotland opened its office in the city earlier this year. Icon Relocation now has branches in London, Singapore and Aberdeen.
“We work for the oil industry, as well other industries, to successfully relocate their employees and families to make sure they are in the right place at the right time to fulfil their business goals,” David explains.
“As well as administering the physical relocation – such as the packaging and shipping of household and personal effects – we also provide short- and long-term housing programmes, orientation (get to know the area you are moving to) and settling-in programmes.
“We also help families with a whole host of other services too, including training programmes (language and intercultural), school search programmes and immigration.”
Before relocation and move management companies, employees who were posted abroad were left to their own devices to make their own arrangements, which is understandably a daunting process. But, today, if you have gained new employment abroad, or your employer has lined up a post abroad for you, you do not need to worry. Instead, you can put your trust in the experts’ hands.
“Moving home can be a stressful experience,” says David. “So when you are told: ‘Pack up your house and move overseas,’ it is not as straightforward as you think.
“Finding a new home overseas is complicated and there are so many unknowns, like: ‘Where am I going to live until I find a new residence and what schools are available for my children?’ To name but a few.”
Since Icon Relocation was formed in 2001, the company has assisted thousands of families to set up new lives in different cities and countries all over the world, from Aberdeen to Argentina. It’s ideal for people who want to take the stress and hassle out of an overseas move, as Icon will manage the entire relocation process from “door to door”.
David explains that it’s all about reassuring those involved: “Be it either company-funded or privately funded, each relocation is different. We never forget that we are dealing with people who all have different needs and expectations that need to be managed.
“Our trained staff will first carry out a needs assessment and formulate a personal relocation programme that will be delivered on time and on budget. We make sense of the relocation process and help give the relocating employee and family an understanding as to what is going to happen.
“We specialise in managing every aspect of the relocation, and our services fit around our clients’ requirements.”
Clients who have used Icon always speak of it as a “seamless process” during which there were no issues, it worked well and they especially commend Icon for their constant communication as they keep clients informed on what will happen every step of the way.
“We assign an Icon relocation co-ordinator to look after each of our clients throughout the process from start to finish, so they have one point of contact,” says David. “We are always contactable, despite the time zones.
“We never lose sight of the fact we’re dealing with people and relocating families. We recognise the magnitude of people uprooting their lives.”
Moving abroad for work? Contact Icon Scotland for an initial chat, free of charge, with no obligation and share your relocation concerns. The firm can help with queries about all the softer issues too.
