Monty Stewart is co-founder of Dubai events agency Nova Management UAE, Stewart and Fox Marketing and a graduate of Britain’s Academy of Contemporary Music, which counts award-winning singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran among its alumni.
He began running UK events in his teens and recorded and performed as a solo artist until Covid-19 restrictions halted live music.
Mr Stewart started playing Call of Duty on Twitch, leading to the Beyond Games team scouting him for tournaments, and briefly worked for Netflix as an actor stand-in on Bridgerton prequel Queen Charlotte.
Call of Duty: Vanguard — in pictures
Now 24, he relocated to Dubai with his girlfriend and business partner, Arielle Fox, last year, vowing to bring new international talent to the city and provide “opportunity to up and coming musicians”. Their first event was “jazz experience” Prohibition.
Where did money fit into your upbringing?
My background certainly wasn’t affluent: a single parent family, my mother was a freelance lawyer, but had health complications.
I grew up on numerous council states, moving house every couple of years. If I wanted a toy, we’d have to sacrifice something else.
Schools were a mix of private and state, the private ones paid for via bursaries or scholarships.
It was a case of study, study, study while trying to have a job on the side to be more financially stable.
It was weird trying to balance jobs and going to a school such as Winchester College, the all-boys boarding school everyone wants to go to.
The boys came from incredibly affluent families, an entirely different world, very materialistic. Coming from somewhere we had to budget for milk or bread to these guys throwing around Gucci or whatever … definitely a culture shock.
How did you earn cash?
First there was a paper round, up at 5am for £27.50 ($34) a month. I saved to buy a PlayStation 3.
The job that I had while at Winchester was in a milkshake joint, but I dropped out of college at 16 or 17.
I started Nova; that’s when I realised there was money to be made. I originally started running club nights for 13 to 16 year olds, a getaway for kids. I got a job at Starbucks and used that money to fund Nova and the event.
What brought you to Dubai?
I’m a bit spontaneous. I started this marketing company with Arielle back in March and the next thing, we’re becoming more financially stable and I was, “let’s do something more creative, go back into the [music] scene that I love”, so we came here. I’ve also seen a gap in the market for marketing.
What is your spending outlook?
I don’t spend on stuff I don’t need and never buy something I can’t afford.
If it’s spending in regards to investing in something, then you try to make the correct calculations, the correct financial decision. Nova was a big financial decision, to come out here and start a company.
When we first came it was more a trial, two months to see that we liked the place and get preliminary foundations laid. It’s all funded by myself: I don’t do loans, after having a student overdraft.
What is your saving strategy?
I put it in the bank. I set myself a threshold in my head and won’t go below that. I never really ventured into the stock market or long-term investments, apart from investing in companies I believe will work.
I’d rather have money in a venture and it failed than it (all) just sitting in a bank. If you try to do something yourself, you at least earn with the experience and can come out with something better. You invest, earn some more and then do it again.
I never see money as a goal. I’m not the guy who wants millions in the bank. If I’ve enough to look after myself and repay my grandma and mum for what they’ve done for me, that’s what matters to me.
And leaving a legacy, strong financial stability for generations after so they don’t have to go through what I went through, having to worry about bus fares.
Have you ever struggled with the cost of living?
One hundred per cent. I moved to London in August 2021, in with a mate, £900 a month for a room with bills included … extortionate.
I moved with the idea to get a job, find a career path. I couldn’t land a job anywhere, had only so much saved.
I ended up having to sign on to (social) benefits. Before I met Arielle, I was living on instant ramen and hot dogs because that’s all I could afford. I was late on rent a couple of times, couldn’t buy Christmas presents.
If you try to do something yourself, you at least earn with the experience and can come out with something better
Monty Stewart,
co-founder of Nova Management UAE and Stewart and Fox Marketing
Was that a financial turning point?
It was a case of "I have to do something". I totally understand why people end up living off the dole, it’s easy to do when you have no motivation, no money, you’re spending all your essential emotional energy worrying about money and have no opportunity to earn.
You can fall into the whole mental health trap as well and feel very sorry for yourself. I met Arielle. She always wanted to start a marketing company and had years of experience. I met the right person at the perfect time.
Do you have a cherished purchase?
That PlayStation 3 when I was about 11. It was my first entrance into gaming, which then led to the Call of Duty aspect.
Or it would be the first guitar that I bought off a mate at school, this really old flamenco guitar is where I properly entered the musical scene on my own.
How do you feel about money?
The concept of money is interesting. I see it almost like a video game. You could have somebody so emotionally developed, wise and amazing, and they can have zero in the bank.
It doesn’t buy you happiness, it provides stability and peace of mind.
Sure, you can go on nice holidays, rent supercars, do all these cool things.
But if money is your only drive and mindset, you’re only earning for yourself, you’re not trying to build something for your family … that’s when you need to step back and look at why you’re doing it because you are definitely sacrificing something along the way to make that kind of cash.
I wouldn’t even call money a motivation, it’s a by-product. It’s not something you should strive for, you shouldn’t aim to make money, you should aim to make a legacy.
What do you enjoy spending on?
I love good food. It’s something you can enjoy in the moment with people. I did a bit of cheffing with a mate at festivals and events. That’s where my love of food came from.
What are your goals?
I want to build Stewart and Fox Marketing to a point where we have clients smashing the door down to get on-boarded. With the events company, as well.
A retirement plan is to be able to sit back and watch other people get brought up to the same level.
And a charity in the future; my business partner I’ve known for years, we grew up together, we’ll find younger versions of us and try to offer opportunities, maybe start a foundation to help young entrepreneurs.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Europe's top EV producers
- Norway (63% of cars registered in 2021)
- Iceland (33%)
- Netherlands (20%)
- Sweden (19%)
- Austria (14%)
- Germany (14%)
- Denmark (13%)
- Switzerland (13%)
- United Kingdom (12%)
- Luxembourg (10%)
Source: VCOe
RESULT
Manchester United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Man United: Dunk (66' og)
Man of the Match: Shane Duffy (Brighton)
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
La Mer lowdown
La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
SPECS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
In The Heights
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Stars: Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manual Miranda
Rating: ****
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The five pillars of Islam
Results
2.30pm: Expo 2020 Dubai – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: Barakka, Ray Dawson (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
3.05pm: Now Or Never – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: One Idea, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.40pm: This Is Our Time – Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Perfect Balance, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Visit Expo 2020 – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Kaheall, Richard Mullen, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.50pm: The World In One Place – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1.900m; Winner: Castlebar, Adrie de Vries, Helal Al Alawi
5.25pm: Vision – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
6pm: Al Wasl Plaza – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Jadwal, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Men's football draw
Group A: UAE, Spain, South Africa, Jamaica
Group B: Bangladesh, Serbia, Korea
Group C: Bharat, Denmark, Kenya, USA
Group D: Oman, Austria, Rwanda
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 0
Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')
Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Switzerland, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner Lord Giltters, Adrie de Vries, David O’Meara
8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Land Of Legends, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
10pm Dubai Dash Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner Equilateral, Frankie Dettori, Charles Hills.
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