"I’ve visited 12 countries in 2024 while working full-time."

At Enate, people are at the centre of everything we do. Our team of engineers, creatives, and customer champions span the globe from Bristol to Bangalore. With a remote-first approach, we value impact over hours spent at a desk, creating an environment that lets the team choose a lifestyle that suits them. In this series, we’re giving our employees the spotlight to share how this flexibility supports their life aspirations.

This week, we’re catching up with Luke Cox, Finance Director at Enate, who has spent the last year traveling across Europe and beyond after selling his house in the Cotswolds and setting off on a big adventure.

What was the catalyst to move from Cotswolds to Europe?

I’ve always loved travelling, but the pandemic led to a bit of pent-up wanderlust as we were grounded for the best part of 18 months. After this, travels were limited to quick trips or the occasional city break where I’d try to squeeze in all the ‘must sees’ over a weekend. I started craving something more. An opportunity to truly immerse myself in the travel lifestyle, and go beyond the typical tourist trail.

How did you do it, and what were the challenges?

I sold my house in the Cotswolds, and also let go of 90% of my possessions. It was surprisingly freeing! I managed to fit everything else I owned into the boot of my little VW Polo and hit the road, choosing to drive instead of fly to destinations. Embracing the unknown brought out my inner adventurer. I was excited, and a little nervous. The biggest challenge was wondering if I’d really be able to pull off the nomad life, and let’s not forget the minor issue of driving on the opposite side of the road!

There’s a lot of logistics involved, from planning accommodation on the go to the transient nature of living nomadically. At first, the prospect of staying one night in a place, only to check out the next day really stressed me out. However, there’s a unique freedom in being able to navigate to any corner of the world (so long as there’s an internet connection), and over time I’ve found a rhythm that works for me. Compared to back home, there are fewer things to worry about, and while there are logistics to sort out, the enjoyment level is so much more, that it outweighs the stress. Having less monotony and more fulfilling experiences has made all the difference.

You’ve travelled to 12 countries this year! What have been some highlights?

• Exploring Italy by car has been amazing. Waking up and deciding on a whim to drive to Firenze, Venezia, or Lago di Como is so freeing. Back in the UK, these would’ve each been full trips in themselves, but from my base in Milan, they’re just a few hours away.
• Swimming in a freezing lake with Mount Fuji in the background is an experience I’ll never forget. After a visit to a temple, we stopped by a lake to take in the view and somehow this escalated into diving into the lake. It made for a very cold drive back to the hotel!
• Snowboarding in Italy led me across the border into Switzerland, where I took a gondola to Zermatt. Unfortunately the thrill turned into an expensive mistake when I missed the last gondola back and found myself stranded in Zermatt!
• Over the summer, I drove the French Riviera from Milan to Barcelona, stopping at nearly every beach along the way. The views were incredible, making every mile worth it.

Tell us a bit about your role at Enate. Has it always been remote?

I've headed up Enate’s finance department for the past two years. As the lead finance person, I’ve gained insight into many areas of the business. This is my first experience at a start-up, and I love being able to make a real impact rather than feeling like just another cog in the machine. It’s an exciting and dynamic environment.

Initially, Enate had a physical office I visited, but the company has always been very open to remote working. It took me a little while to see what a great opportunity this perk could be for exploring new places, but now I’m making the most of it.

How do balance working as a Finance Director and travelling full-time?

In operational finance, there are certain routines and critical deadlines you have to stick to. I have to be mindful of this when planning my travel, avoiding any major transitions between destinations during these periods. That might sound like a headache, but trust me, it’s all worth it to unwind on a rooftop terrace next to a historic monument after a day’s work.

In terms of working patterns, I tend to do European hours for the most part, which hasn’t impacted by ability to get work done. When I need to travel, I tend to do it in the evenings. This not only minimises work disruption, it also strategically takes advantage of quieter roads. Weekends are prime exploring time, so I’ll often find new accommodation on Thursday or Friday’s to maximise exploring time.

How has living abroad changed your perception of routine and work?

The journey has truly changed my life. It’s allowed me to travel, explore, and grow in my career all at once. It's reshaped my perspective on work-life balance, and now I approach everything with a calmer mindset. While living in the UK with a house, I’d find myself counting down to the next trip, but now I feel at ease knowing that I'm essentially experiencing adventure every day.

In what ways (if any) has Enate supported your travels?

This lifestyle wouldn’t be possible without Enate. Not only have they been incredibly flexible, allowing me to work from anywhere, but they’ve also been genuinely supportive of it. It’s become a bit of a tradition for people to ask where in the world I am ‘this week.’ As a busy Finance Director, there’s always a lot to manage, but Enate’s trust has created a unique relationship that’s allowed me to achieve personal goals I once thought impossible, while travelling. Enate’s support has been instrumental in balancing both my career growth and my passion for travel.

Do you have any advice for others with ambitions of living the nomad life?

Just take that first step. You won’t have everything figured out right away, but book that first hotel or first flight, and let things unfold from there. Take it slow, and remember that while you’re working, you’re not ‘missing out.’ You’re living in a new place, and explore in your own time.

If you’re staying in a country for a while, learning a few key phrases is respectful and will go a long way.

On the practical side, reliable WiFi is essential, and it’s always a good idea to arrive with enough time to find a good spot for meetings, especially for that perfect background on video calls!

What’s next?

From a travel perspective, I’ve got a skiing trip at the end of the year and have also booked a surf trip for spring 2025. It’ll be my first time surfing, so the laptop will definitely be staying in the hotel room! I’ll also be heading to India soon, to celebrate a close colleague’s wedding. As Enate is a global company, getting to forge relationships with people from around the world is a major perk.

From a work perspective, I’m still excited to learn and grow in my role. There’s a lot happening, and I’m tasked with delivering several key projects, so stay tuned for future updates.

Would you ever move back to the UK?

Maybe I’ll settle back in the UK someday, but for now, I’m fully enjoying the freedom that working remotely provides. It’s a great feeling to have the flexibility to balance career growth with new experiences around the world.

Fancy keeping up with Luke's travel and finance journey? Follow him on LinkedIn for more insights and stories.