Where we work // Mauritius
The Mauritius Office
An interview conducted by Amy Borchard with Aurelie Paya, Associate Recruitment Consultant, Mauritius
Barker Langham Recruitment selected Mauritius as an excellent country to develop its research and resource capabilities. In addition to it being on the same time zone as our existing Dubai office, Mauritius also benefits from an excellent technology infrastructure and a bi-lingual, well-educated and passionate talent pool.
Amy Borchard – If you could describe Mauritius in one word, what would it be, and why?
Aurelie Paya - Paradise! You have everything you need to be happy here. Home, family, friends, the beach, and really interesting and rewarding work. The quality of life is really good, and it enables you to have a healthy work / life balance. It is very easy to live a happy life here.
AB – Do you find that people often have misconceptions about Mauritius?
AP – Yes, as people sometimes think we are a poor, self-secluded country with no concrete houses! But, in fact, Mauritius is very modern and has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, ICT and tourist sectors. With a well-developed legal and commercial infrastructure and a strong tradition of entrepreneurship, Mauritius is actually one of the developing world’s most successful countries. There is also an openness here - which is also what we are commonly known for. And everything is accessible, as the island is only one hour from top to bottom. I live in the West but often relax after work in the great bars and restaurants in the North.
AB - What is the arts and culture scene like in Mauritius?
AP - The arts and culture sector is definitely beginning to become more prominent. There are lots of independent creatives here who are driving some really interesting collaborations. Perhaps most excitingly, we have the new Caudan Arts Centre, inaugurated in December 2018, which is a hub for music, art, food, conversation, conferences and events in Mauritius. It aspires to be a space where people can engage with ideas and art in all forms and set the stage for a new cultural scene in Mauritius and the wider region. This will for sure change how the world sees us. We also have performance art venues, such as the Port Louis and MCine theatres. There is also a tradition of more informal initiatives such as Backstage Mauritius, which I really enjoyed as a University student. It was a great place to be of an evening, as they invited musicians to jam together for free after work. It was such a great vibe!
AB - What about museums in Mauritius? Are there any that you would recommend visiting, and if so, what type of visitor experience can we expect?
AP - The museum sector is not as developed in Mauritius as in other parts of the world, although we do have some such as the Blue Penny Museum on the waterfront, which was founded by the Mauritius Commercial Bank. Much of our heritage is interpreted in traditional sugar or tea plantation estates, such as Bois Cheri, Chateau De Labourdonnais and Mahebourg Museum. A popular favourite is L'Aventure du Sucre, which is not far from the Botanical Garden of Pamplemousse. The museums that we do have though are not really ‘interactive’ museum experiences, and much more educational as they are used a lot by schools. However, I believe that this will change in the near future with the introduction of the arts centre which demonstrates a more contemporary approach to visitor experience, and Mauritius will begin to take more creative leaps.
AB - What is it like working for Barker Langham Recruitment being based in Mauritius?
AP – Most of my day-to-day interactions are with the team based in London or Dubai, but I often also support projects with the wider team, which could mean collaborating with a consultant based anywhere in the world, for example, from Vancouver to Shanghai! We are well used to this way of working though, and so we spend much of our time discussing projects together on video conferences. Juggling multiple time zones and a number of client deadlines is also part of the job. Whilst Barker Langham is completing setting up the office here, I continue to work from home, which also adds to a healthy work / life balance for me. If I have had an intense morning it is possible for me to go to the beach during my lunch break, to relax and refocus for the afternoon session!
AB – We are getting a sense that Mauritius offers a slower pace of life, but one that can still inspire and stir creative and artistic endeavours. What inspires you the most?
AP - The coastline of Mauritius has some of the most wonderful beaches in the world, but beyond their beauty for me personally is the fact that they are filled with memories. Childhood memories, adolescent memories. Memories of time spent with family and friends, of evenings by the sea. When you add to this the breath-taking scenery and warm weather you have a truly inspirational canvas on which to create and imagine. So, as the pace of life is much slower, especially when compared to other Barker Langham offices in London, Dubai or New York, I would certainly say that Mauritius creates an environment where you can reflect on the past, be present in the moment, and dream about the future.
AB - Thank you for providing these really great insights to Mauritius.
AP - It has been my pleasure – and I look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful island soon!
Aurelie Paya
Associate Recruitment Consultant