Key Takeaways
- • Advent, a global private equity investor managing more than $109 billion in assets, has opened an office in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), according to The National.
- • ADGM assets under management grew 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, up 34 per cent year on year.
- • Asset managers that established operations at ADGM in the first half of 2026 collectively oversee more than $2.1 trillion in global assets under management.
- • Advent, founded in 1984, has made 460 investments across 45 countries and now operates 18 offices globally.
- • Advent's Abu Dhabi move follows New Mountain Capital, Capital Group ($3.6 trillion AUM) and Eurazeo, adding to a wave of global firms establishing ADGM presence despite uncertainty linked to the Iran war.
Summary
Advent, a global private equity investor managing more than $109 billion in assets, has opened an office in Abu Dhabi Global Market, according to The National. The company said the Abu Dhabi opening follows a series of office launches globally, including in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Advent described the new base as building on its long-standing relationships across the Middle East, giving it a local platform to deepen engagement with investors, support existing portfolio companies and explore potential investment opportunities. Founded in 1984, the firm has made 460 investments across 45 countries and now operates 18 offices worldwide, including the Abu Dhabi site.
The move adds Advent to a growing group of financial institutions establishing a presence in the UAE capital, even as the region faces uncertainty linked to the Iran war. Earlier this month, New York-based alternative investment firm New Mountain Capital said it was opening an ADGM office to strengthen its Middle East presence, while Capital Group, which manages $3.6 trillion in assets, secured a licence from ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority to operate as a regulated investment manager. Paris-listed European asset manager Eurazeo, with EUR40 billion ($45.2 billion) in assets under management, has also opened an ADGM office as part of its regional expansion plans. Other firms the UAE capital has attracted in recent months include Blue Owl Capital, Vista Equity Partners, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, Cantor and Adapt Investment Managers.
Arvind Ramamurthy, chief market development officer at ADGM, said Advent's decision to establish an office there reflects the strength of Abu Dhabi's proposition as a destination for global investment firms. ADGM data show assets under management grew 54 per cent annually in the first six months of 2026, and the centre now hosts 49,027 professionals on Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, up 34 per cent from the same period a year earlier. Asset managers that established operations at ADGM in the first half of the year collectively oversee more than $2.1 trillion in global assets under management.
The move adds Advent to a growing group of financial institutions establishing a presence in the UAE capital, even as the region faces uncertainty linked to the Iran war. Earlier this month, New York-based alternative investment firm New Mountain Capital said it was opening an ADGM office to strengthen its Middle East presence, while Capital Group, which manages $3.6 trillion in assets, secured a licence from ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority to operate as a regulated investment manager. Paris-listed European asset manager Eurazeo, with EUR40 billion ($45.2 billion) in assets under management, has also opened an ADGM office as part of its regional expansion plans. Other firms the UAE capital has attracted in recent months include Blue Owl Capital, Vista Equity Partners, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, Cantor and Adapt Investment Managers.
Arvind Ramamurthy, chief market development officer at ADGM, said Advent's decision to establish an office there reflects the strength of Abu Dhabi's proposition as a destination for global investment firms. ADGM data show assets under management grew 54 per cent annually in the first six months of 2026, and the centre now hosts 49,027 professionals on Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, up 34 per cent from the same period a year earlier. Asset managers that established operations at ADGM in the first half of the year collectively oversee more than $2.1 trillion in global assets under management.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.