Founder & Editor, IMBrief
Andy Williamson brings a unique perspective to investment migration analysis, one shaped by three decades of international living and location-independent business.
From Military Service to Global Mobility
Andy's international journey began in the mid-1980s, when he served in the UK military, primarily based in West Germany. After completing his computer science degree, he established himself as a freelance IT consultant in the mid-1990s, specialising in technical architecture for major communications companies and investment banks.
His client roster included British Telecom, Orange, Vodafone Germany, HSBC, Lloyds Bank and Commerzbank. His consultancy work took him across the UK, Germany, France, and Austria. But more than building systems, he was building a lifestyle that would define his career: location independence before the term even existed.
Pioneer of Location-Independent Business
In 2003, Andy founded Expatra and launched Expatra.com, which became one of the leading overseas living websites. The move from Germany to Cyprus that year wasn't just a climate upgrade; it was strategic, taking advantage of a more favourable business environment for entrepreneurial ventures.
Over the past two decades running Expatra, Andy has lived and operated from the UK, Cyprus, Ireland, and Dubai, proving that a business truly can fit in a briefcase. This isn't theoretical knowledge about global mobility, it's lived experience.
The Path to Investment Migration
Having enjoyed the freedoms of an international lifestyle since the 1990s, Andy watched the investment migration industry evolve with keen interest. Brexit served as a personal wake-up call, crystallising a fundamental truth: we cannot depend on governments to protect our global mobility; we need to secure it ourselves.
This realisation led to his IMCM certification in 2025 and the founding of IMBrief. As Andy observed, "Investment migration isn't going to be an exotic option in the future; it's becoming a strategic pillar of any international business owner's portfolio, and a crucial investment for anyone who values freedom and global mobility."
A Philosophy of Strategic Citizenship
Andy's perspective on investment migration is both practical and profound:
"In a world of growing complexity and volatility, investment migration is no longer a fringe manoeuvre; it's emerging as a prudent, strategic pillar of modern life. This isn't about fleeing. It's about planning, about having agency in a world that is becoming more unpredictable.
Just as sophisticated investors diversify portfolios, today's most thoughtful citizens are diversifying their rights and residence options. It's a statement of values: that mobility is security, that access is resilience, and that freedom of movement is no longer a luxury, but a core component of legacy planning."
Why IMBrief
After decades of helping others move towards international living through Expatra, Andy recognised a gap in the investment migration market. While marketing agencies pushed programmes or republished press releases, there was little to no truly independent analysis from an investor's perspective.
IMBrief represents the culmination of Andy's personal experience as an international technology consultant, his editorial expertise from two decades of publishing, and the practical life experience of someone who's had to deal with the complexities of global mobility.
Beyond Business
Based in the UK but frequently found in Thailand, Australia, or Dubai, Andy continues to live the location-independent lifestyle he advocates. His business remains in his briefcase, his perspective remains global, and his commitment to editorial independence remains absolute.
Professional Credentials
- IMCM Cert(IM) - Investment Migration Council Certified Practitioner
- Member - Investment Migration Council
- Founder, Expatra Ltd. (2003-present)
- Founder & Editor, IMBrief (2025-present)
Connect with Andy
Email: andy@imbrief.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-williamson-expatra/
X: https://x.com/andywson
that it’s not
"The future of global citizenship is multi-jurisdictional, intentional, and ethical. Those who understand this also understand that it’s not just about migration through investment, it’s about strategically adapting to the world we now live in."