Joshua Webley Featured in Business Insider: From Digital Nomad to Expat Community Builder

Melbourne Capital Group is proud to spotlight team member Joshua Webley, whose inspiring journey from digital nomad to community leader was recently featured in Business Insider. Read the full article here.

When Joshua Webley joined Melbourne Capital Group's Kuala Lumpur office in January 2024, he brought more than just his expertise in business development, he brought a vision for building meaningful connections in his adopted home of Malaysia.

Joshua's story, as told to Business Insider's Amanda Goh, resonates with many expatriates who find themselves navigating life in a new country. After seven years as a digital nomad traveling through Indonesia, Spain, and Morocco, Joshua fell in love with Malaysia's calmer lifestyle and vibrant culture.

"I'd moved around so much by then, and the longest I'd ever stayed in one place was two or three months," Joshua shared in the Business Insider feature. "I didn't know who to ask about restaurants, or who to ask out for a drink when I finished work on a Friday."

The Birth of The Expats Club Kuala Lumpur

What started as a simple Facebook post asking, "Does anybody want to come out for a curry on Friday?" has evolved into something extraordinary. Over time, his meet ups became regular monthly events with up to 100 attendees, and The Expats Club was born.

The club operates on a simple but effective model: attendees make small charitable donations as their RSVP, ensuring commitment while giving back to the Malaysian community. What began as casual curry nights has expanded to include Spanish tapas, Italian cuisine, and even German food experiences.

Today, The Expats Club has become a self-sustaining ecosystem of connections. There are meetups for golf, pickleball, and hiking. Specialised groups serve retirees, business owners, and women, with Joshua's wife Rachel leading the women's initiatives and handling the club's digital presence.

The community has expanded beyond Kuala Lumpur to include Penang, and serves as a comprehensive resource for expatriates navigating visas, housing, and local knowledge.

The impact of Joshua's work became beautifully evident at his recent wedding, where most guests were friends he'd met through The Expats Club. As he humorously shared with Business Insider, when planning his bachelor party, he had to remind his best man that most attendees would be over 70, a testament to the diverse, multigenerational community he's created.

Looking Forward

Joshua's journey from Yorkshire to Malaysia, and his transformation from newcomer to community connector, demonstrates the power of taking initiative and building authentic relationships. His work with The Expats Club continues to grow, creating lasting bonds and supporting fellow expatriates in their Malaysian journey.

At Melbourne Capital Group, we're proud to have team members like Joshua who don't just excel in their professional roles but actively contribute to building stronger, more connected communities.

Read the full Business Insider feature: "I moved to Malaysia in my 30s. I didn't know where to go or what to do, so I started a club to connect the expat community"

To learn more about The Expats Club or connect with the expatriate community in Malaysia, visit their social media channels or attend one of their upcoming events.

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