Dubai's Hoxton Wealth completes Infinity Financial Solutions acquisition, company's assets under management hits AED12bln
The acquisition is Hoxton Wealth's first in Asia and its largest to date, presenting a major landmark in Hoxton's growing international footprint - providing the business with an established, regulated presence in Asian markets.
Acquiring Infinity, which was founded in 2004, will add $300 million (AED 1.1 billion) in assets under management (AUM) to Hoxton's rapidly-growing portfolio, taking its total AUM to $3.3 billon (AED 12.1 billion).
For individual clients, Infinity offers the internationally-mobile advice that maximises investments, pensions, savings and trusts, in addition to international banking and insurance.
Its corporate division helps companies with a range of services, such as establishing employee benefits, including group pension schemes and employee medical cover. Infinity also assists its commercial clients with company formation, corporate insurance and risk management.
In June, Hoxton Wealth achieved regulatory approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), giving it freedom to operate in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC).
Hoxton Wealth's CEO, Chris Ball explains: 'So far, our acquisition strategy has focused on the UK domestic market, with the objective of growing our footprint and supporting existing business in the country. A lot of our clients are UK expats, so a strong presence in the UK builds confidence among those with ties to the country.
'Branching out across Asia is a huge step for us. We are very excited to begin connecting with new clients and partners in a region where we did not previously have a huge presence, but which has an undoubtable opportunity for significant growth.
'For me, the next place we would love to start acquiring businesses is the US - it is a golden market.
'The last year has seen our AUM double and while a significant proportion of that has been through our ambitious acquisition strategy, the vast majority has been a result of organic growth, underpinned by the determination of our team.
Trevor Keidan, Managing Director of Infinity Financial Solutions adds: 'We are delighted to have agreed the acquisition of the company by Hoxton Wealth. We believe this will further strengthen our presence in the Asia region, ultimately providing significant enhancements to our offering and providing clients with additional services from the experienced in-house team at Hoxton Wealth.
'Hoxton Wealth has invested significantly in technology, enabling it to provide traditional financial planning powered by cutting edge tech and we are very excited to launch these services to Infinity clients.'
Oliver Gorman, Revenue Director at Hoxton Wealth, who spent 10 years working in Malaysia before joining the business in 2024 said: 'Infinity has built an exceptional business, that's a credit to its leadership - and entire team. The decision by the partners to sell to Hoxton wasn't just a strategic one it was about ensuring their clients and staff are part of something with real long-term vision.
'This is about more than expansion, it's about alignment. Hoxton Wealth is home to a truly international advisory team, with advisors from the UK, France, China, Japan, and beyond. With this acquisition, we're strengthening our presence in key Asian markets and continuing our mission to deliver world class, fully regulated financial planning no matter where our clients are in the world.'
Hoxton Wealth's client base currently stands at 7000 individuals, with over 300 staff working at key offices in the UAE, UK, USA, Australia, South Africa, Mexico and Cyprus.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
40 minutes ago
- Zawya
Trump tariffs hit India's garment makers as US buyers say move production
Ever since Donald Trump's tariff salvo on India this week, garment maker Pearl Global - whose U.S. client list includes Gap and Kohl's - has been receiving midnight panic calls with an ultimatum: share the tariff hit or move production out of India. To calm U.S. customers' nerves, Pearl Global has offered to shift production to its 17 factories in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam and Guatemala to bypass the steep U.S. levies on Indian imports. "All the customers are already calling me. They want us to ... shift from India to the other countries," Managing Director Pallab Banerjee told Reuters in an interview. Trump's initial tariff proposals in April - which were lower for India than for the rival Asian garment hubs of Bangladesh, Vietnam and China - had been seen as an opportunity for India to rapidly expand in the $16 billion apparel exports market. But the tables have turned as relations between New Delhi and Washington have soured, with India now facing a 50% tariff, versus 20% for Bangladesh and Vietnam, and 30% for China. Pearl gets roughly half of its business from the United States. Some clients offered to continue taking products from India if it could share the tariff burden, but that is not viable, Banerjee said, without naming the customers. 'IN THE DOLDRUMS' The 50% U.S. tariff - comprising 25% that kicked in on Thursday and another 25% due to come into force on August 28 as a penalty for buying Russian oil - has stunned U.S. garment buyers and their Indian suppliers, who say they are considering taking their manufacturing operations beyond Indian shores, even to less-established garment hubs like Ethiopia and Nepal. Some exporters also say they have been asked by U.S. clients to put orders on hold. New Delhi has called Trump tariffs "extremely unfortunate". India's garment sector was already grappling with a labour crunch and limited production capacity. But the prospect of exporters shifting production outside India would also be a blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" policy drive. While Pearl can use its foreign factories to meet U.S. orders, exporters that rely on domestic factories are set to be hit much harder. RichaCo Exports has shipped $111 million of garments to the U.S. this year, with clients such as J. Crew Group, customs data shows. All were made in its more than two dozen factories across India. Around 95% of its annual Indian revenues come from the United States, said general manager Dinesh Raheja. "We're exploring setting up a manufacturing base in (Nepal's capital) Kathmandu," he said. "The industry is in the doldrums." ORDERS ON HOLD Earlier this week, India's biggest jeweller and watchmaker Titan told Reuters it was looking at shifting some manufacturing to the Middle East to maintain low-tariff access to U.S. markets. Amit Agarwal, finance chief of top Indian garment maker Raymond, said he was pinning hopes on the company's one factory in Ethiopia - which faces just a 10% U.S. tariff and could possibly add more production lines within three months to cater to U.S. clients. The tariff threat comes as India was emerging as a big alternative for U.S. garment buyers like Walmart, as Bangladesh faces a political crisis, and companies look to diversify supply chains beyond China. Indian garment hub Tiruppur in the south, considered the country's knitwear capital and which accounts for nearly one-third of apparel exports, was bullish about the future earlier this year when Reuters visited and talked to exporters. Panic has now descended on the hub. Some factories in Tiruppur have been asked by customers to hold orders, while some plan to ship as many goods as possible before the full 50% tariff kicks in, said Naveen Micheal John, executive director at Cotton Blossom India. "An importer, which had placed orders for underwear, has come back saying that if you haven't purchased yarns ... keep it on hold for now," he said. Some garments in Tiruppur cost U.S. clients as little as $1, while a women's or men's T-shirt can vary from about $3.5-$5, which could soon face 50% tariffs, said N. Thirukkumaran, general secretary of the Tiruppur Exporters Association. (Writing by Aditya Kalra. Editing by Mark Potter)
Gulf Business
an hour ago
- Gulf Business
Dubai real estate is entering a new era of strategic growth
Wissam Breidy, CEO of HRE Development/Image: Supplied I was recently talking to friends in Beirut and had one of those conversations that stays with you. I was asked, 'Why is everyone talking about Dubai? Is it just hype or is there something more?' It's a fair question. Most people notice the headlines, the skyscrapers, the glamour. But they rarely see what lies beneath – the solid business fundamentals driving this momentum. As someone operating in the heart of this market every day, I'd like to offer some perspective for those on the outside looking in. Dubai is not just expanding; it's evolving with intent. In 2025, that story continues to unfold with purpose and precision. Every neighbourhood reflects ambition, innovation, and resilience. This is not hype – it's trust, earned during one of the world's biggest stress tests. After COVID, the UAE didn't recover – it reset the rules of growth While much of the world was locked in paralysis during the pandemic, the UAE acted – decisively rolling out mass testing, vaccinations, and policies to support business continuity. That wasn't just effective crisis management, it was proof of savvy execution – and it transformed how the world sees this place. The results speak for themselves. In just the first quarter of 2025, Dubai welcomed 89,695 new residents – an average of 1,000 people a day – bringing the population to 3.92 million by the end of March. This is the driving force behind one of the most alluring real estate markets on the planet. Dubai offers something rare: stability in a volatile world You can invest here without worrying about currency controls or political uncertainty. No income tax. No capital gains tax. That changes the investment math instantly. Rental yields average between 6 and 8 per cent net – and these returns are backed by real end-user demand. Families are settling here, not just passing through. Residential capital values rose 5 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 25.9 per cent year-on-year in Q1 2025, according to the ValuStrat Price Index. Apartments posted a 21.4 per cent annual gain, and villas jumped 30.3 per cent – figures that signal confidence, not just movement. Transaction volumes tell another story. Over Dhs70.8bn in real estate deals were recorded in the first half of 2025, with apartments accounting for nearly 78 per cent of sales. Average ticket sizes for both off-plan and ready homes reached Dhs2.7m, reflecting sustained investor appetite and a growing trend toward ownership. From velocity to value: a market maturing by design The market is shifting from velocity to value, focusing on long-term growth, smarter development cycles, and measured delivery. And crucially, this evolution is being guided with intent. The government's 2040 Urban Master Plan sets out a vision to double Dubai's population and create a more inclusive, sustainable urban landscape. That strategy informs how infrastructure, mobility, and housing are planned. Developers are responding. By the end of Q1, nearly 12,000 new units were handed over – representing 19 percent of the 61,580 homes expected for the year. Areas like JVC, Business Bay, and Dubai South are leading the charge. Read: Looking ahead, more than 170,000 units are currently under construction across the emirate, with completions expected through 2029. The mix – 70 per cent apartments and 30 per cent villas/townhouses – is aligned with demographic shifts and affordability needs. And affordability itself is evolving. Apartment rents rose 10 percent in Q1, and villa rents 5.1 per cent. The appetite for ownership is growing, especially among first-time buyers and young professionals. Developers are responding with more innovative, tech-integrated, and community-centric designs. Homes are becoming smarter, more flexible, and more human – not just priced to sell but built to live in.
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai's hottest property spots offer yields up to 7.4%
Dubai's residential property market continues to flourish, with six communities emerging as key hotspots for investors and first-time buyers, offering rental yields of up to 7.39 per cent. The six standout communities — Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Damac Island, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Meydan City, and Dubai South — are registering strong sales volumes and capital appreciation, underscoring a shift toward value-driven locations supported by master-planned development and improved connectivity, according to the latest analysis by Chestertons Mena. The study highlights a market defined by strategic urban planning, infrastructure development, and growing investor confidence — trends that are shaping the future of real estate across the emirate. JVC continues to attract younger tenants and first-time buyers with its relative affordability and strong yields. Average property prices in JVC stand at Dh1,238 per square foot, with rental returns reaching 7.39 per cent — among the highest in the city. Dubai South, a strategically positioned hub near Al Maktoum International Airport and Expo City Dubai, averages Dh1,035 per square foot and offers yields of 6.77 per cent, drawing interest from investors seeking long-term value. Damac Island, averaging Dh823 per square foot, stands out as the most affordable among the six and delivers a robust rental yield of 7.38 per cent, boosted by off-plan pricing and early investment advantages. Meanwhile, Meydan City continues to gain traction with a combination of spacious units, upgraded infrastructure, and rental yields of 7.14 per cent at an average price of Dh1,915 per square foot. More centrally located areas such as Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai maintain their appeal, despite higher entry points. Dubai Marina properties average Dh1,757 per square foot with a yield of 6.24 per cent, while Downtown Dubai commands the highest average price at Dh2,504 per square foot and offers a consistent 6 per cent return, supported by high demand and its premium status. According to Chestertons Mena, the continued momentum in these communities reflects Dubai's evolving property landscape, where suburban master-planned zones are gaining prominence amid land constraints in core urban areas. This trend is being fuelled by the government's Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the D33 economic agenda, both of which promote integrated, high-quality living environments and aim to double the city's GDP over the next decade. Mania Merrikhi, chief operating officer and managing director of Chestertons Mena, said Dubai has firmly established itself as a global investment hub. 'Initiatives like the D33 agenda are set to drive even greater economic and urban expansion over the next decade. Simultaneously, other emirates such as Abu Dhabi are also gaining prominence, offering fresh opportunities backed by major infrastructure projects.' Mohamed Mussa, executive director at Chestertons Mena, echoed the sentiment. 'Government support continues to be instrumental in shaping a vibrant and accessible real estate market. From streamlined regulations to enhanced investor protections, the UAE is attracting a new wave of international and family-oriented buyers. We expect sustained demand for full-service, lifestyle-focused communities that offer convenience, value, and long-term growth.' Supporting this transformation is a raft of buyer-friendly policies, including lower down payment thresholds, improved mortgage access, and long-term visa options tied to property ownership. These initiatives are drawing a growing cohort of international investors and end-users, particularly families and remote workers looking to settle in lifestyle-oriented communities with access to schools, healthcare, retail, and leisure. Recent data from the Dubai Land Department shows a 25.8 per cent year-on-year increase in real estate transactions in the first half of 2025, exceeding Dh180 billion. The residential segment continues to dominate, accounting for over 60 per cent of total sales, as developers roll out high-appeal projects in line with growing demand. New launches by major players such as Emaar, Sobha Realty, and Binghatti are contributing to inventory expansion in prime and emerging areas alike. The surge in off-plan sales is another indicator of investor optimism. According to CBRE's latest Dubai Residential Market Snapshot, off-plan sales accounted for 58 per cent of total residential transactions in H1 2025, with volume increasing by over 32 per cent compared to the same period last year. This is particularly evident in communities like Dubai South and Damac Island, where pricing remains competitive and the promise of long-term value is attracting new entrants. Rents have also continued their upward trajectory, with average apartment rents in Dubai rising 18.5 per cent year-on-year, according to a recent Asteco report. Villa rents surged 19.6 per cent, further underlining the value of owning income-generating assets in master-planned communities. The report also notes that while prime areas such as Downtown and Palm Jumeirah are seeing stabilisation, mid-market and emerging zones are driving rental growth as tenants seek more space and better affordability.
