Global Private Equity Giant Selects Abu Dhabi as Middle East Hub
Partners Group, a leading Swiss private markets investment firm managing approximately $152 billion, has inaugurated a new regional headquarters at Abu Dhabi Global Market, signalling a strategic intensification of its presence in the Middle East. Suhail Albaz, appointed Chairman of Middle East, Africa and Central Asia, will oversee the office. His brief includes deepening ties with Gulf institutions, expanding private wealth services, and targeting transformational investment opportunities in technology, energy, healthcare, education, infrastructure and luxury retail.
This move follows a wave of asset managers and financial firms establishing regional outposts at ADGM, which is capitalising on Abu Dhabi's strategic efforts to diversify its economy and grow its financial centre. The number of firms at ADGM rose by 32%, and assets under management surged by 245% last year. Suhail Albaz's mandate reflects this momentum, with Partners Group seeking to leverage regional demand, especially from sovereign wealth funds, family offices and institutional investors.
The firm has had a UAE presence since opening a Dubai office in 2010 and has since employed over 2,000 people regionally through its portfolio companies. Albaz noted that education and healthcare are natural entry points for investment, citing the group's International School Partnerships acquiring its tenth school in the region. The firm is now assessing opportunities in renewables and luxury retail, planning equity investments between $1 billion and $1.2 billion.
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This announcement also highlights Abu Dhabi's growing appeal as a hub for global financial institutions and fintech clients. ADGM has attracted heavyweights including BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, Circle, Coinbase and PGIM. ADGM Chief Market Development Officer Arvind Ramamurthy emphasised an accelerating pipeline of firms from Japan, India and China.
Steffen Meister, Executive Chairman of Partners Group, stated that Abu Dhabi is evolving into a global focal point for technology, energy, next-generation manufacturing and digital services. He highlighted the region's ability to attract significant investment on account of both regional opportunities and partnerships with local investors. The firm's regional private wealth business appointed Venugopal Reddy as Head of Private Wealth Middle East last year, signalling further intent to grow its client base.
Abu Dhabi's strategy to expand its financial centre is manifest in a 67% jump in new licences in the first quarter, bringing the total number of operating entities to over 2,380. Aside from Partners Group, U.S. firm Harrison Street, along with PGIM and I Squared Capital, have also announced new regional offices or licenses at ADGM.
The surge is part of a broader trend as international firms seek access to the Gulf's nearly $2 trillion in sovereign wealth funds, favourable tax environments, well‑regulated financial markets and strategic geographic location. ADGM, writing its laws in English common law, and offering an attractive regulatory framework, stands as a credible gateway to both regional and global investment markets.
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