From Humble Beginnings to Entrepreneurial Success
Born and raised in Palestine, Maen Samara’s journey from his homeland to becoming a prominent entrepreneur in Dubai is nothing short of inspiring. In 2011, seeking greater opportunities, Samara relocated to Dubai, a city known for its dynamic business environment and limitless possibilities. This move marked the beginning of a remarkable entrepreneurial journey characterized by resilience, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to empowering others.
Identifying Gaps: The Birth of Virtua

In 2013, Samara identified a significant gap in the market: small business owners in the UAE were struggling to find scalable HR and payroll solutions tailored to their unique needs. Recognizing this challenge, he founded Virtua, a company dedicated to providing cutting-edge HR and payroll services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Under Samara’s visionary leadership, Virtua quickly gained traction, earning a reputation for reliability and innovation. The company’s success attracted the attention of prominent investors, leading to its acquisition by the esteemed Emirati Al Serkal family business group in 2018.
Scaling New Heights: The Evolution into Trans Skills
Post-acquisition, Virtua was rebranded as Trans Skills, with Samara continuing at the helm. This transition marked a new chapter, as the company expanded its services to 34 countries, establishing itself as a powerhouse in payroll compliance, HR solutions, and cross-border workforce management. Samara’s forward-thinking approach and relentless pursuit of excellence positioned Trans Skills as an industry leader, providing scalable, client-centric services across more than 40 countries.
Leadership Philosophy: The Five Pillars of Success
Central to Samara’s leadership style are five actionable pillars: Build, Brandish, Bolster, Nurture, and Accountability. These principles reflect his commitment to constructing robust business foundations, showcasing value, strengthening capabilities, fostering growth, and maintaining responsibility. His client-first mentality is encapsulated in his heartfelt message: “At Trans Skills, we care about your people as much, if not more, than we care about your business.” This philosophy has cemented Trans Skills as a trusted partner for businesses seeking reliable, compliant, and innovative solutions in payroll, hiring, and workforce management.
A Visionary Problem-Solver
Samara’s story is one of resilience and boundless vision. A natural problem-solver, he tackles challenges that others might shy away from, laying the groundwork for solutions that serve businesses and communities alike. His track record of empowering others through his work demonstrates that true leadership isn’t just about building successful ventures—it’s about creating opportunities for as many people as possible to succeed along the way.
Innovation with Purpose: A Lasting Legacy
From Virtua to Trans Skills and beyond, Samara’s entrepreneurial legacy illustrates a guiding principle: innovation with purpose. As he looks forward to the next chapter, Samara remains steadfast in his mission to tackle meaningful challenges, inspire change, and leave a lasting impact. His journey serves as a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to empowering others.
Recent Developments and Future Outlook
In October 2023, Trans Skills reached a significant milestone when it was acquired by Ebury Mass Payment UK, a subsidiary of Banco Santander. This acquisition underscores the company’s robust growth and the effectiveness of Samara’s leadership in scaling operations and delivering exceptional value to clients. The integration with Ebury is expected to enhance Trans Skills’ capabilities in global payroll disbursements, ensuring that clients’ employees are paid on time, in full, every time.
Looking ahead, Samara envisions leveraging this new partnership to further innovate and streamline international payment processes, specifically targeting finance and treasury functions of mid-market corporates. This strategic direction aligns with Ebury’s broader goal of investing in technologies that improve global trade processes for SMEs, including FX and currency hedging, international cash management, and trade finance.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Beyond his business ventures, Samara is passionate about inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. He actively engages in mentorship programs and speaks at industry events, sharing his experiences and insights to motivate others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. His journey from Palestine to leading a global enterprise in Dubai serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved through vision, determination, and a commitment to empowering others.
Conclusion
Maen Samara’s entrepreneurial journey is a compelling narrative of identifying opportunities, overcoming challenges, and leading with purpose. His ability to envision and implement innovative solutions has not only transformed industries but also empowered countless businesses and individuals worldwide. As he continues to forge new paths, Samara’s story remains a beacon of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders alike.
Do follow Uae stories for more Updates.
Also read: Grand Souk Bur Dubai: A Timeless Market Full of Hidden Treasures