Bain Capital has opened an office in Abu Dhabi which will serve as a regional hub to support “deeper engagement” across the Middle East, even as the conflict in the region continues.
The US-based global investment firm said its new office, which is located in ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, will support long-term investor partnerships, portfolio company expansion, and future regional investment activity.
It follows a strategic partnership between Bain Capital and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) announced at the end of last year, to establish alternative investment platforms and identify co-investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi and the broader region. At the time, Bain Capital said the partnership would see it expand into Abu Dhabi.
Bain Capital joins a number of other private credit managers, including Muzinich & Co and Hillhouse Investment Management, in opening offices in Abu Dhabi this year, despite ongoing strikes by the US and Israel on Iran and other locations across the region.
DWS also remains committed to the region, having recently appointed a senior coverage specialist for alternatives in the Middle East as it seeks to expand its private markets platform there.
Bain Capital’s Abu Dhabi office will help to support the expansion and growth of select Bain Capital portfolio companies in the Middle East, by connecting them to the region’s capital, customers, talent, and strategic partners, with a focus on sectors such as aviation, healthcare, digital infrastructure, and financial technology.
“Bain Capital has built trusted partnerships across the Middle East over decades, grounded in shared values, a long-term orientation, and a belief that the region is playing an increasingly central role in global capital and company-building,” said David Gross, managing partner at Bain Capital.
“Establishing a presence in Abu Dhabi is a natural next step, strengthening our ability to serve investors, support portfolio companies and engage with stakeholders to create long-term value together.”
Tom Sargeant, a partner and head of Asia and Middle East investor relations at Bain Capital, added: “Many of the region’s leading institutions have been long-term investors in our funds, and those relationships have grown over time into broader strategic collaboration. The Abu Dhabi office strengthens our ability to work side-by-side with partners across the region.”
Bain Capital manages investments across capital solutions, credit and real estate, and real assets, and has approximately $215bn (£158.6bn) in assets under management.
Read more: Hillhouse expands in Gulf with new Abu Dhabi office
