Yes it seems to be quite a long process right enough. I know my partners company have sought copies of his educational certificates etc already so we'll get the ball rolling on them.
We're in Ireland so I'll speak to the Notary and see what we have to get done (and how much!!!)
Edited to say: Apostilling here is by Foreign Affairs and then Consularisation is done by the UAE Embassy in London as they are not party to the Hague Convention