Man Group is preparing to enter Abu Dhabi as global capital keeps moving toward the Middle East. It is the world’s largest listed hedge fund firm with about $228.7 billion in assets. The London-listed firm has applied for a license to operate in Abu Dhabi Global Market.
The move signals Abu Dhabi’s rising importance in global finance, especially as large institutional investors look for stable, regulated offshore hubs. If approved, the license will allow Man Group to manage assets and offer investment advisory services from the emirate.
The firm is not just opening an office. It is planning a wider regional base covering distribution, trading, and investment operations.
Man Group has a long history in the region. It previously operated in Dubai between 2005 and 2016 before shifting back to London for client servicing. Now it is returning with a stronger focus and bigger mandate.
Chief executive Robyn Grew said, "Man Group has long recognized Abu Dhabi as one of the world’s most dynamic financial centers. Submitting our application for a Category 3A license marks an important milestone in our commitment to the region.”
Abu Dhabi is aggressively positioning itself as a global capital hub. The financial center has reported a 36% rise in assets under management in 2025. The following are driven by hedge funds, asset managers, and private capital firms.
Officials say the appeal lies in three key factors:
Clear regulatory system
Access to sovereign and institutional capital
Strong legal framework based on English common law
ADGM Chairman Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi said the emirate offers ‘a trusted regulatory environment, world-class infrastructure, and access to long-term capital’ for global firms.
Man Group’s expansion reflects a broader shift in the hedge fund industry. Firms are increasingly moving closer to regions with deep liquidity, especially as geopolitical uncertainty and market volatility rise.
The company has also been investing heavily in AI-driven and quantitative strategies, which it believes perform better in unstable global markets.
Recent months have seen several global names, including Bain Capital, Barings, and Hillhouse Investment, expand in Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the city’s growing role in alternative investments.
Man Group’s planned entry is more than a regional expansion. It reflects a structural shift in global finance where capital is no longer concentrated in traditional Western hubs. Abu Dhabi is steadily building itself into a bridge between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, and the latest move by one of the world’s biggest hedge funds only strengthens that position.
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