Business Wednesday 21 October 2026
Global private equity firm Advent opens office in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM
By Abu Dhabi Desk
Global private equity investor Advent, which oversees more than $109 billion in assets, has opened an office in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), adding to the expanding roster of financial institutions establishing a presence in the UAE capital.
The new office follows a series of recent openings by the company worldwide, including in Tokyo and Hong Kong, the firm said in a statement on Wednesday.
Strengthening regional ties
According to the company, the Abu Dhabi base will strengthen Advent’s long-standing relationships across the Middle East, providing a local hub to deepen engagement with investors, support existing portfolio companies, and explore potential investment opportunities.
Founded in 1984, Advent has completed 460 investments across 45 countries and now operates 18 offices globally, with Abu Dhabi joining its network.
Growing financial hub
The announcement comes as a rising number of global financial institutions set up operations at ADGM, despite uncertainties stemming from the ongoing war with Iran.
Earlier this month, New York-based alternative investment firm New Mountain Capital announced it would open an ADGM office to expand its Middle East presence. Meanwhile, Capital Group, which manages $3.6 trillion in assets, secured a licence from Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority to operate as a regulated investment manager within ADGM.
Paris-listed European asset manager Eurazeo, with €40 billion ($45.2 billion) under management, also opened an office in ADGM as part of its regional expansion plans.
Other prominent firms that have recently chosen Abu Dhabi include private credit lender Blue Owl Capital, technology-focused US firm Vista Equity Partners, the world’s largest listed hedge fund Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, Cantor, and Swiss derivatives investment company Adapt Investment Managers.
ADGM’s rapid growth
Arvind Ramamurthy, chief market development officer at ADGM, said Advent’s decision to establish an office in the financial centre reflects the strength of Abu Dhabi’s proposition as a leading destination for global investment firms.
Assets under management at ADGM grew by 54 per cent annually in the first six months of 2026, with 49,027 professionals now based on Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island — a 34 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
Collectively, asset managers that set up operations in ADGM during the first half of the year oversee more than $2.1 trillion in global assets under management.
