Living in the UK: An Interview with Sébastien Scaux on Building a Life and a Community Abroad
Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00

On Tuesday, 27th August 2024, Sébastien Scaux, Director of 10is Academy, was interviewed by the French radio station Mouv' as part of their special series on unsung achievers among French expatriates. Seb was chosen for the interview because the host, an avid tennis player, recognised his success in not only building a life in Cambridgeshire but also establishing a thriving tennis academy. In the interview with Mouv', Seb shared his experiences of living in the UK, the rewards of founding 10is Academy, and offered advice for fellow French nationals living in or planning to move to the UK. Below is a curated and translated transcript of the interview.
Mouv': Sébastien, thank you for joining us today. You’ve been living in the UK for nearly 25 years now. What initially brought you in England, and how has your experience been as a French expatriate?
Sébastien Scaux: Thank you for having me. I moved to the UK in 2000 to learn the language as my english was terrible. The people were welcoming, and I quickly grew to appreciate the British way of life.
Mouv': It’s great to hear that your transition was smooth but is there anything you miss?
Sébastien Scaux: I do miss the hotter weather of Lyon, Some of the food like the rillette that you cannot find in England. Otherwise you can find nearly everything else at the local supermarkets. I do miss the hills and mountains of the Lyon region but I must admint that I've fallen in love with the beautiful sunsets in Cambridgeshire. They’ve become one of my favorite things about living there.
Mouv': What advice would you give to French people who are thinking about moving to the UK?
Sébastien Scaux: My advice would be to embrace the experience fully, with an open mind and a desire to learn. Get involved in local activities; for me, it was tennis. Also, make an effort to understand the culture, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Some might like to stay connected to their roots by joining some French community group, but for me, it was more like "I'm all in." The UK offers a lot of opportunities, and it’s a great place to build a life if you’re open to it.
Mouv': You’ve had quite a varied career path. Can you tell us a bit about your journey from enlisting for the French Navy to founding 10is Academy?
Sébastien Scaux: Straight after university, I joined the Marine Nationale as a career naval officer for three years. Then, when I moved to the UK, I switched to finance as it was what I studied and worked in that field for several years. But my true passion has always been sports, so I eventually became a tennis coach at my local club not far from Cambridge. Sadly, three years ago, we parted ways... This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it led me to start 10is Academy at the local private school, King's Ely. Now our club is opened to everyone and not just the pupils. Even though we’re what I call a "part-time club"—only having the courts in the evenings and on weekends—I wanted 10is Academy to be more than just a venue. I wanted it to be a place where people feel welcome and respected. 10is academy has grown beyond expectations, and we are now working on creating our own venue just a few miles from where were are.
Mouv': A true success story. What are some of the key factors behind the success of your tennis academy?
Sébastien Scaux: A little "Je ne sais quoi". No, seriously, I think the success of 10is Academy definitely is in our core philosophy of focusing on helping players grow on and off court. Our identity is very important to me even if it means that some people will not find us attractive. We know who we are and why. I must also admit that we’ve been fortunate to have mentorship from some of the world’s best coaches, like Louis Cayer. Louis has been instrumental in guiding us, and despite his busy schedule, he’s visited the academy twice to offer his insights.
Mouv': Can you tell us who Louis Cayer is?
Sebastien Scaux: Yes of course. Louis Cayer is one of the greatest tennis coach in the world. He coached the likes of Andy Murray, Jo Konta and many others. He helped several players to reach number one in the world in doubles. As a coach, Louis won several tennis slams and the Davis Cup and his mentorship has really helped shape 10is Academy's coaching approach.
Mouv': That must be great to have such a mentor behind you.
Sebastien Scaux: Yes definitely, I have learnt so much from him and my coaching has improved tremedously thanks to him. Thanks to that knowledge, not only our players can improve a lot faster but our coaching team has become a lot more skillful.
Mouv': I've heard that 10is Academy is actively involved in community work. Could you share with our listeners some details about these initiatives?
Sebastien Scaux: Yes, that' s right. We have been committed to giving back to the community, which has been a key part of our identity. Giving back to the country that welcomed me is very important to me. For example, since its creation 10is Academy has donatd annually £1 per member to local charities, and we also have offered free weekly coaching sessions and holiday camps for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). These efforts are part of who we are—it' s not about seeking recognition, but about doing what’s right.
Mouv': That’s inspiring! What advice would you give to other French people who are considering starting a business in the UK?
Sébastien Scaux: The UK is full of opportunities, more than in France, but it’s important to know what you’re getting into. I only have two advices. The first one is to know your identity. Stay true to your values. For us at 10is Academy, our success has been built on being welcoming, respectful, and improving on and off court. The second advice is to build a strong team around you as it is crucial to avoid a burn out.
Mouv': Looking back on your time in the UK, what has been the most rewarding aspect of living and working here?
Sébastien Scaux: The most rewarding aspect has to be the fact that I have become an entrepreneur and the impact I’ve been able to make through 10is Academy. Seeing our members grow, witnessing the joy on the faces of the children we coach, and knowing that we’re contributing positively to the community—that’s what makes it all worthwhile. Living in the UK has given me the opportunity to build something lasting. Getting up every day knowing you are doing something you love is amazing. But it is not always easy. For example we do have many new projects to implement but we have to be careful as unlike other clubs, we do not get any funding for these projects as we do not rely on charities to offer our free coaching. It is mainly myself and my partner giving away our own time for free. The British are very charitable, they very often give money to charities which in turn is given to small companies or clubs like ours to deliver free coaching. Unfortunately, I haven't put my head around this. Applying is complicated but the main ussue is my mindset... I feel like I would be a fraud if I did give free coaching knowing that someone else is actually paying for me or my team to deliver. To me, it feels like money redistribution rather than true charitable work. I have not given my time for a good cause, I have given my time for money; that is work, not a charitable action. I need to change my mindset and undertand that it is how it works in England.
Mouv': One last question: any chance of you coming back to France?
Sébastien Scaux: I've made a nice life England with my partner, Sandrine, a native French speaker from Switzerland, and our beautiful, loving daughter of soon to be three. They’ve both been a wonderful part of my journey in England. We sometime discuss about the possibility but we are happy there. That said, once the Academy is running by itself, the goal is to expand abroud and France is definitely on the radar.
Mouv': Sébastien, your story is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us today, and congratulations on all your achievements.
Sébastien Scaux: Thank you so much for letting me share my story.
This interview is a reminder that life’s greatest adventures often start with a leap of faith—and maybe a tennis racket in hand. From navigating the British weather to building a tennis academy in a place better known for its sunsets than its serves, the story here shows that with a bit of passion, some hard work, and a dash of French flair, you can create something different and special. So, whether you’re starting a new chapter or just working on your serve, remember to embrace the adventure and enjoy the ride—because sometimes, the best moments come when you least expect them!