Professional referee - UK resident?

[ameynert]

Has anyone had experience applying with their first referee not being either a UK citizen or resident in the UK?

The guide for AN says:

"One referee should be a person of any nationality who has professional standing, such as a minister of religion, civil servant or a member of a professional body, for example accountant or solicitor (but not representing you with this application). A list of acceptable professional persons can be found on our website."

We were thinking of asking a Canadian friend of ours, who is still living in Canada (we're Canadian too), and is a professional engineer, registered in that country. We haven't known anyone for 3+ years who is on the list of accepted professions and is a UK resident. Second referee is not a problem.