Man Group is set to expand its Middle East footprint with plans to open an office in Abu Dhabi, joining a wave of global hedge fund managers building out operations in the UAE’s fast-growing financial centres, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The publicly listed alternative investment giant, which manages $214bn, is preparing a licence application for an ADGM base, with the new hub targeted for launch in 2026 subject to regulatory approval. The firm said Abu Dhabi’s focus on innovation and artificial intelligence aligns closely with its own business model and long-term strategy in the region.
The planned expansion comes ahead of Abu Dhabi Finance Week, where Man Group CEO Robyn Grew is due to speak. It also reflects the emirate’s rapid rise as a destination for hedge fund and trading talent, complementing the larger but more mature ecosystem in neighbouring Dubai.
For managers, the appeal is two-fold: trader-friendly conditions – including zero personal income tax and favourable time zones – and access to deep pools of regional capital. Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds, particularly the $1.1tn Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, have been increasing allocations to hedge funds, frequently via large managed-account mandates. Family offices across both emirates are also expanding their alternatives exposure.
Man Group plans for the new office to house distribution, investment, trading and execution functions, with expectations for further scaling over time. The firm already maintains research and training partnerships with regional allocators and said the Abu Dhabi move is a “natural progression” of that engagement.
The firm will join Brevan Howard, Marshall Wace and Rokos Capital Management, all of which have established a presence in Abu Dhabi, while Dubai continues to attract heavyweights including Millennium, Point72 and Qube Research & Technologies.
The move marks a return to the UAE for Man Group, which operated a Dubai office between 2005 and 2016.
