Did you/your spouse move to Wales from the US for an executive position?

My hubs is up for a position in a Welsh company. They haven't had any Americans working for them, let alone in a leadership role.

They have been lovely when he has been over there on work travel, but that was in a peer position, not as a potential manager.

Has anyone moved there for a management role in a company?
What was your experience like?

Hubs has been told there are expectations about the type of car he should drive (not inexpensive) and house he should live in - which we must balance against coming across as "excessive, vulgar Americans". Yikes. I'm still not sure what that all even means?

Can anyone share their experiences? Or, would you be up for a meetup on our next trip across the pond for a sit-down chat over dinner? Hubs would love to talk to someone firsthand about their experiences - he has loads of questions and I can't seem to get him to the boards here.

there are a few of us with connections with Wales so let us know if we can help.
As for status symbols that is kind of a strange subject.

I agree, Jim.


Vicky

I'd guess in this day and age, an ostentatious car and ostentatious house would be looked at as more of a negative than a positive.

Personally that sounds slightly said in sarcasm, but it is strange that anyone would mention what kind of car you're expected to drive etc.     I think its just common sense that they expect you to not show up in a nearly broken-down beater.   

Audis and BMWs seem to be management cars depending on model, however this doesn't always hold true though.  Choose a car that fits in with your personality.  For example some of the higher managers in DHs office: one drives a BMW (as does his nurse wife), another drives a Volkswagen Passat & rides his pushbike to work every day (he's more the practical type - family car and not too fast). 

I'd guess in this day and age, an ostentatious car and ostentatious house would be looked at as more of a negative than a positive.

Agreed.  I'd just stick within a set budget in a decent area.

My hubby is a sales rep and he drives a Renault Scenic.  We live in Wales.  I guess I'm not really sure what you meant exactly though.  But hopefully that helps.  I'm the American.

actually, the comment about the car wasn't sarcastic. (honestly - just perplexed.)

My husband was travelling with the managing director who is very practical. The company has a car for general use, and he has offered just to drive that, and was told it wasn't appropriate for his position - when he gets there, they have a BMW for him to drive.

THe MDir told my husband that while we obviously don't want what is perceived as an "ostentatious" (read: American) house - we can't buy/rent something that is perceived as "below our level". That is what I wasn't sure how to read, as all of the generalisms about Americans seem to criticize that very thing.

I would be quite happy to know that there isn't a fixation on status. We definitely don't have one here personally. (I drive a minivan!)

But I suppose I was more looking for information about your/your spouses acceptance as an American in a management role (in a company with no other Americans). the car bit was just a side thought - like I said, I've read a lot of generalization about Americans being greedy and needing bigger and better, so I was surprised about the expectations in the car area. (I would love to get into a VW Jetta again! I miss that car...)

Ivory, does your hubby travel a bit, and are you in a bigger area or smaller area? How was your adjustment, personally?

Thanks all for your feedback!  I'm a bit overwhelmed right now in the decision making process - perhaps especially since I have so many friends who have been recently laid off from their jobs. Its a bit of an absurd position to be in from my friends' point of view...

Hubs has been told there are expectations about the type of car he should drive (not inexpensive) and house he should live in - which we must balance against coming across as "excessive, vulgar Americans". Yikes. I'm still not sure what that all even means?

I can't give any great advise about Wales and an Exec position but I find it a bit surprising that they tell you what kind of car to drive and what kind of house to live in. I know that you are trying to investigate the idea of a move over so I am not being funny or rude..truly!

I think you need to weigh your options when it comes to housing and what you can afford rather than what they suggest. Is someone from the office going to drive by the house you live in and approve/disapprove? I say that because housing isn't cheap and depending on where you live a lot will depend on availability. Please really consider his salary and do research on property costs in the area vs. the expectations that they have set for your husband/family.  Also, as a newcomer to the country, you may have trouble buying a house because of your visa status.

All of that said, I would be very cautious of a company that sets such expectations (don't just take their word on how you should live).....in my mind, it doesn't sound very "UK-ish" to me.

PS -  I was a senior manager in the UK (for a very large, global company) and reported to Executive Management and I never heard them talking/acting that way. Of course that is just my experience. 

I would be wary of a company who expect such status symbols.  I am very sure this is not a UK/US thing, as I can't imagine working in any company here which promotes such petty behaviour.

Vicky

Well, it sounds like the company is supplying the car so that's probably one of the job perks. But I have no idea about the deal with the house is! 

Sounds to me like it's the MD who'll need impressing, not your husband's subordinates. So, why not just ask this MD (who seems to want to be helpful) to recommend a few good neighborhoods? That way you'll at least get the idea what the heck he's driving at.

After reading all the responses (thank you) and re-reading my initial response, I've realized why the focus has been a bit off from what I was looking for.

The Division Director does NOT live in Wales. He is American, living in America. In reading your responses, I've realized that he was imparting to my husband his experiences and observations. HE would be happy driving the company van, THEY say its not appropriate. (Now I'm starting to think that it is respect thing, not a class thing. Hubs says the guys in this company love cars. Sr management is provided the option of a company car or a car allowance - they all take the car allowance so they can get themselves a BMW or Mercedes - because they love cars.)

So I'm thinking that what the big guy was telling my hubs is that he has to find a balance - to avoid the "american excessiveness" stereotype - which should not be a problem, if you could see the state of my living room furniture! but also to not take it to the extreme, either.

Does this make sense?
Just hoping to clear it up...

I'm really looking for input regarding people's experiences coming over to fill a Managing Director role, and what they had to deal with regarding expectations in this role, especially as an American, and if spouses  felt additional pressure because of being in that role - the only american in the company, etc.

I suppose if people are expecting us to be ugly americans, it makes me more self conscious than I already am in real life...

I'm really looking for input regarding people's experiences coming over to fill a Managing Director role, and what they had to deal with regarding expectations in this role, especially as an American, and if spouses  felt additional pressure because of being in that role - the only american in the company, etc.

On specific experience you may want to consider making a separate post in the Jobs section (more people that tend to come over on work visas tend to hang out there, so you may get more input there on that aspect, as a lot of people here on the forum have come over on spousal visas).   

Secondly, what type of company is this that your husband would be taking this position in?  ie. is it automotive, retail, manufacturing etc?  That would give a better idea regarding their "image control."  Car guys are car guys (and gals) regardless of what kind of job you're in - once they have the money at their disposal they'll go for the cars they want (if they're able).   

From stating this was a fellow American imparting this advice I can understand where he's coming from, but really like others have said you have to go with what both of you are comfortable with and can afford to strike a work-life balance.

I haven't been in a managerial role here, but I've been working in Wales for two years now.  I found that I was the one who had to adjust to being an American here.  When I first started working, I thought people would be wondering about me, and I felt like I needed to explain more of why I was here or how I fit in, which felt awkward at times.  After a while I relaxed and realized that if people want to know, they'll ask.  Once I relaxed and got to know people, my Americanism was a non-issue except for during the occasional off-topic coffee-break type discussion.

I was surprised by the earlier discussion on status symbols.  I've been in Cardiff for the whole of those two years, and I have found the Welsh to be some of the least pretentious people I've ever known.  Most people here are really not at all worried about status symbols.  Sure, there are those who live in nice neighbourhoods and drive nice cars, but it isn't that big a deal.  You find what you are comfortable with, and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Oh, and by the way, living expenses in most of Wales are great.  You can often find houses for much less than what they are worth in the Southeast.  I love living in Wales!  The people are warm and kind.  Property values are nice, and there is some beautiful scenery around.  If you have any Wales-specific questions, feel free to PM me.

Think perception in Wales.
There have been several American companies that have come into Wales with a big bang. Ribbon cutting, lots of jobs, improving the local economy and on and on. Then they leave just as fast and leave a big fat mess so I wouldn't advertise the America connection.
Keep in mind that Mike Douglas and several other celibraties have homes in South West Wales so there is some wealth there.
My final two bites. Keep as low profile as possible. Get the least home and car that you can get away with without bothering the top people.
Being flashy is a sign of having a complex in my book.

Hi Mommy Grrl,
Some good responses so far and tending to agree with it all. However, I do understand (I think!) where you're coming from in terms of your direction. Reading a little more into your extra info, it 'sounds' like the current MD has been 'off the record' talking with your better half - i'd doubt a 'company policy' would be to get x and y type of house/car etc. That said, I do know of plenty of people working for companies and there is no doubt that status symbols and 'keeping up with the jones' mentality exists to a large proportion within UK culture/populace - it's a large factor into the current credit crunch as people are now realising that borrowed money needs to be paid back! Based on that, I've had off the record talks with allsorts of people working in allsorts of companies at this middle to upper to boardroom level - and it pretty much is de riguer to have the company 5/7 series BMW, E and S class Merc and if the company is doing well, the high performance versions of those as well as the Porsche's, Maserati's and Bentleys Aston Martins. Now in more dire economic times, some are cutting back of course - but the culture still wants for those elements. I just overheard y'day in the pub some guy complaining that he's now got a 'Vectra' instead of the 3 series he's always had and was saying things like 'how am i supposed to look driving one of those' and 'i'll just pretend my BMW is in the garage if a client asks' etc etc. I don't know the company your husband is working for of course, but I'd suggest he does ask the right people about the written company car policy and make a good decision based on that ( a good mate of mine has a stipulation he can buy any suitable car he wants which portrays his postion and their company in a positive way' - which means no SUV BMW or Merc, and that it has to be under 5 years old for instance) Another company from a few years ago, were also 'car enthusiasts' (Like me!) and the car park was full of Alpina's and AMG's with the directors on Aston Martins for business hours and Ferrari's for client impressing and weekend use.

As for the house, probably not to the same extent, but yes, there is a certain level of status associated with houses due to their over priced nature and of course the one -upmanship that'sso prevalent in the UK. Again, I'd think the big boss was trying to steer your husband into getting something suitable knowing that generally houses here are much smaller. By suggesting getting or looking in such and such area or amounts, I 'think' he was trying to prepare you for getting something which won't be such a change from what you're currently used to/have.

It's a good thing that you know about the 'percieved' stereotypes the British have about anyone foreign, the Americans of course are a very popular community the 'Brit's like to joke and poke fun at and on more the negative end, jibe and harrass at every opportunity - look here on this forum for threads discussing this and how to learn to deal with it and not let it affect you anymore - the general consensus being, eventually you'll ignore it and it won't faze you anymore!

Lastly, over the last 11 years or so, I've worked for as it happens, all USA IT corporations and had these sorts of conversations hundreds of times over - I will say, everyone is different however and the UK is still very much receptive to Americans. I'd say overall, don't 'worry' about which car it is and which house it is, look for yourselves and your pockets/budget and also evaluate the required level of 'status' that will suit you and the company (if it really is such an important aspect for them) well. No hard and fast rule of course, but as always the more research you do in an area the better!

The Welsh by the way are friendly, chatty, great fun too - you'll have some light hearted banter when you hear them talk ! and likewise, when they hear you ! great countryside and holiday/weekends away places to visit, and if/when needed, access to all the big cities are in drivable distance (within reason/timeframe etc)

Hope the above helps, any other queries or information etc just stick it up here as a response and I'll see if I know anything more about it !

Cheers! Dennis! West London & Slough UK!