logo
Polen Capital secures ADGM license, appoints regional head as it expands Middle East presence

Polen Capital secures ADGM license, appoints regional head as it expands Middle East presence

Zawya20-02-2025

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Polen Capital, a global investment management firm specializing in growth equity and credit, is excited to announce it has received its Financial Services Permission (FSP) to operate in ADGM and has opened an office in Abu Dhabi, solidifying its commitment to the Middle East region as a key pillar of its global growth strategy.
This move underscores Polen Capital's focus on credit, a rapidly growing area of its business, as it responds to increasing interest from Middle Eastern investors in its credit strategies. Establishing a foothold in one of the world's most dynamic financial hubs strengthens Polen's ability to serve the region's sophisticated investor base, tap into its deep pools of capital, and meet the growing demand for active, high-conviction investment strategies. Abu Dhabi's increasingly prominent role in global finance, backed by a bold long-term vision and a regulatory environment that fosters innovation, aligns seamlessly with Polen's ambitions for growth and expansion.
Stan Moss, CEO of Polen Capital, commented: 'Polen Capital has grown from a single investment vehicle managing $3 billion in assets to a multi-strategy firm overseeing $60 billion today. The Middle East, and Abu Dhabi in particular, represents a tremendous opportunity for us. We were especially pleased with how seamless the ADGM process was, and with our new presence there, we're committed to expanding our footprint and accelerating our next phase of growth while continuing to serve regional investors with outstanding service and deep expertise.'
In line with this expansion, Polen Capital had appointed Omar Sultani as Managing Director, Head of Middle East and Central Asia. Sultani will spearhead the firm's regional strategy, strengthening partnerships and driving growth across the region.
'Abu Dhabi has become a key global financial center, offering an ideal environment for asset managers to expand and innovate," said Omar Sultani. "Polen Capital's track record of disciplined, high-conviction investing resonates strongly with investors in this region, and I'm excited to build on that foundation.'
Commenting on the development, Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, said: 'We are pleased to welcome Polen Capital to ADGM as they continue their global expansion. Abu Dhabi has become a key destination for leading asset managers, offering a dynamic investment environment and a regulatory framework designed for growth. Polen's presence here reinforces the strength of our ecosystem, and we look forward to seeing them thrive as they bring their expertise to the region.'
About Polen Capital:
Offering equity and credit investment solutions, Polen Capital is a global investment firm managing approximately $60 billion in assets (as of December 31, 2024) for institutions, financial advisors, and individuals seeking high-quality, active, concentrated strategies built for the long term. Polen has four autonomous investment teams, Large Company Growth, Small Company Growth, Emerging Markets Growth, and Credit, with offices in Boca Raton, Fla., Boston, London, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong. Since 1989, Polen has built a distinctive culture and is committed to being a firm of opportunity, attracting and developing exceptional professionals aligned with its mission of preserving and growing clients' assets to protect their present and enable their future. The firm has been recognized by Pensions & Investments as one of the industry's 'Best Places to Work' for each of the past nine consecutive years.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US asset manager Harrison Street receives licence to open ADGM office
US asset manager Harrison Street receives licence to open ADGM office

The National

timean hour ago

  • The National

US asset manager Harrison Street receives licence to open ADGM office

Harrison Street, a US-based real estate and infrastructure investment manager, has entered the Middle East market with the opening of an office at Abu Dhabi's financial hub ADGM. The company with $56 billion in assets under management has received a financial services licence from ADGM's regulator, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Harrison Street said on Tuesday. The move is part of the company's global expansion and positions it to 'better serve current and prospective clients in the region over the long-term', it said. Harrison Street is expanding into the Middle East market at a time when regional investors are increasingly seeking economic diversification and a broader range of international opportunities, including global real assets exposure, the company said. 'While we've been providing Middle Eastern investors with exposure to demographic-driven real asset strategies for quite some time, we are excited to now formalise our presence in the Middle East,' Christopher Merrill, co-founder, chief executive of Harrison Street, said. Harrison Street joins a growing list of asset managers, insurers, financial institutions and investment houses that have chosen to set up a base in the financial hub of UAE capital, to use it as the platform for their regional expansion. In February, German asset manager Patrizia was granted approval by the FSRA to start operations at ADGM. The Augsburg-based company, which has about €55 billion ($57.7 billion) in assets under management, plans to arrange and advise real estate investments for clients in the region. The two real estate managers add to a stream of companies including BlackRock that are eager to tap into the Middle East's growing investment market. New York-based BlackRock, the world's top asset manager with nearly $11.5 trillion in AUM, in November received a commercial licence to operate at ADGM. In September, ADGM welcomed its first trillion-dollar asset managers: PGIM, the global asset management business of the New York Stock Exchange-listed Prudential Financial, and Chicago investment firm Nuveen, with both aiming to expand their operations and client bases in the Middle East. The flurry of new additions has pushed the number of firms in ADGM higher during the first quarter of this year, with assets under management also increasing by 33 per cent annually, the financial hub said earlier this month. The total number of entities operating at ADGM rose by 43 per cent annually to 2,781 in the first three months of this year, it said in a statement. At the end of last year, the financial zone had 2,381 operational entities.

Deutsche Bank appoints Majed Julfar to head UAE business
Deutsche Bank appoints Majed Julfar to head UAE business

Zawya

time20 hours ago

  • Zawya

Deutsche Bank appoints Majed Julfar to head UAE business

Deutsche Bank has appointed Majed Julfar as the chief country officer for the UAE at a time when the bank is bolstering its presence in the country with a new branch in the capital. Julphar, who returns to join the German lender where he previously worked for 14 years, will oversee the local franchise across all business divisions and entities. Additionally, he will lead corporate coverage for the Middle East and Africa. He joins Deutsche Bank from Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), where he acted as a director of Trade Credit Insurance and Export Finance. The appointment coincides with Deutsche Bank's expansion into Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) last month, where Jean-Pierre Habis was appointed as a senior manager. (Writing by Brinda Darasha; editing by Daniel Luiz)

Meedaf and Brink's Form Strategic Alliance to Revolutionize Cash and ATM Operations in the UAE
Meedaf and Brink's Form Strategic Alliance to Revolutionize Cash and ATM Operations in the UAE

Web Release

timea day ago

  • Web Release

Meedaf and Brink's Form Strategic Alliance to Revolutionize Cash and ATM Operations in the UAE

Meedaf, an ADGM-licensed entity launched in April 2025 to serve financial institutions across the GCC, proudly announces a strategic joint venture with Brink's a leading global provider of cash and valuables management, digital retail solutions, and ATM managed services. This collaboration is set to revolutionize the cash management and ATM managed services industry in the UAE, ushering in a new era of efficiency, security, and innovation. As the first strategic partnership on the Meedaf platform, the new venture will empower financial institutions by harnessing Brink's global technology, infrastructure, and operational expertise to establish elevated standards in cash management and ATM managed services throughout the UAE. This collaboration will deliver fully integrated solutions encompassing cash-in-transit, money processing, ATM managed services, and digital retail solutions, including deposit machines, cash recyclers, and kiosks. Through the integration of advanced technologies, it aims to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs across the cash ecosystem. Brink's brings decades of global experience in managing complex, high-volume operations, coupled with proprietary systems that optimize route planning, crew deployment, and cash centre performance. These advanced capabilities are now seamlessly integrated into Meedaf's offerings, enabling financial institutions to reduce complexity, enhance consistency, and streamline their day-to-day operations. Meedaf's unparalleled regional experience will enable the joint venture to include cutting-edge technologies and advanced capabilities to ensure smarter, more secure operations and control across the entire cash ecosystem. Eng. Abdulla Abdul Aziz AlShamsi, Managing Director and CEO at Meedaf, commented: 'Our joint venture with Brink's underscores Meedaf's unwavering commitment to revolutionizing financial services through cutting-edge innovation and strategic alliances. By harnessing Brink's unparalleled global expertise in cash management, we are poised to deliver exceptional operational efficiency and security to financial institutions across our region. This collaboration represents a pivotal stride towards realizing our vision of a more agile and resilient financial ecosystem, setting new benchmarks for excellence and transforming the landscape of financial services in the UAE. Nader Antar, EVP and President, Brink's IMEA and APAC and Brink's Global Services, said: 'We are excited by the opportunity to collaborate with Meedaf to create a truly transformative service model. By providing a competitive value proposition, superior services and solutions that bridge physical and digital commerce, we will set a new standard in the UAE market for cash management, digital retail solutions and ATM management services.' Following its launch in the UAE, this strategic joint venture is set to transform the industry, driving operational transformation that combines innovative solutions with industry-leading standards across the region. It also marks a major step forward in Meedaf's expansion into key regional markets.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store