Advent Expands Global Presence with New Office in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Advent Expands Global Presence with New Office in Abu Dhabi

On October 21, 2026, Advent, a leading global private equity investment firm, announced the opening of its new office in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an international financial centre in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This strategic move signifies Advent's commitment to extending its international reach into the Middle East, a region pivotal for its investment strategies.

Advent has established strong ties within the Middle East over the years, and this new office serves as a local hub to bolster those relationships. The office aims to facilitate deeper engagement with investors and to support existing portfolio companies while exploring new investment opportunities within the region.

James Brocklebank, who serves as the Managing Partner and Co-Chair of Advent’s Global Executive Committee, expressed his enthusiasm about this development, stating, "Abu Dhabi is a natural addition to Advent's global network, alongside our recent openings in Sydney and Tokyo. As a global business, having colleagues based locally enables us to be closer to the institutions and long-term partners that support our work. It also offers a solid base for strengthening our engagement over time."

The newly established office will be led by Mehdi Iraqi, the Managing Director of Limited Partner Services. Iraqi joined Advent in January 2026, bringing nearly two decades of experience, particularly in managing institutional investors across the Middle East. He remarked, "The Middle East hosts some of Advent's most valued long-term partners, and this office epitomizes our commitment to being close to them. With my extensive experience working with institutional investors in this region, I am excited to advance these relationships from our Abu Dhabi base."

In a statement about the office's launch, Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, highlighted Abu Dhabi's appeal as a key destination for global investment firms. He noted, "Advent's decision to establish an office in ADGM reflects the strength of Abu Dhabi's proposition as a leading destination for global investment firms. ADGM's dynamic ecosystem connects international investors, financial institutions, professional service providers, and an extensive talent pool within a robust, internationally recognized regulatory and legal framework. We welcome Advent to our community and look forward to supporting its growth and further engagement with partners and opportunities in the region."

This office opening is part of Advent’s broader strategy, which has seen recent expansions such as the launch of its Sydney office in July 2024, extending into the Australian and New Zealand markets, along with a new Tokyo office established in January 2026 to enhance its presence in Japan. Furthermore, the company took steps to reinforce its longstanding presence in Hong Kong, which serves as a regional base for Asia-Pacific investor engagement, building on over three decades of investment in the area.

With the addition of the Abu Dhabi office, Advent now boasts 18 offices across 15 countries, underscoring the firm’s commitment to operating in the world's most dynamic markets. As the demand for private equity services continues to increase globally, Advent remains poised to leverage its significant experience and relationships in ambitious new markets.

This latest expansion into Abu Dhabi reaffirms Advent’s dedication to fostering significant partnerships and exploring promising investment avenues in the Middle East, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing growth trajectory.