ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Blue Owl Capital has opened a new office in ADGM, strengthening its global and regional presence and underscoring its long-term commitment to the Middle East.
The new office will serve as Blue Owl’s regional headquarters in the Middle East. It is the firm’s seventh office in the EMEA region and its 23rd globally.
Blue Owl Capital said the Abu Dhabi office comprises members of its Institutional Capital and GP Stakes teams. The office is aimed at supporting the firm’s clients in the region and expanding its presence in the UAE.
Haitham Abdulkarim, Managing Director and Senior Executive Officer of Blue Owl’s Abu Dhabi office, said the Middle East has emerged over the past decade as both a strategic global market and a sophisticated investor across asset classes, particularly alternatives.
“We believe proximity to clients is fundamental to understanding their objectives and building lasting partnerships,” Abdulkarim said.
He said expanding into Abu Dhabi was a natural evolution for the firm as its platform continues to grow, allowing it to meet clients where they are and operate in a jurisdiction that supports long-term partnerships and institutional growth.
Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz, Co-Chief Executive Officers of Blue Owl, said the firm has longstanding relationships in the Middle East and that establishing an office in Abu Dhabi was a natural next step as it deepens its work and relationships in the UAE and the broader region.
“Today’s announcement reflects our conviction in this incredibly important area and our commitment to strengthening the relationships we have developed over many years,” they said.
They added that the Middle East is not a new market for Blue Owl, but represents the next phase of its growth in the region.
Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, welcomed Blue Owl to ADGM, saying the firm’s decision to establish an office in Abu Dhabi reflects the growing depth and sophistication of the region’s private capital landscape.
He said Blue Owl’s presence would strengthen ADGM’s ecosystem by broadening the range of capabilities and expertise within its growing community of global firms.
“As the international asset management hub, ADGM remains committed to enabling firms like Blue Owl to scale and contribute to long-term growth from Abu Dhabi,” Ramamurthy said.
Blue Owl Capital is a New York Stock Exchange-listed alternative asset manager focused on private capital, offering investment strategies across Credit, Real Assets and GP Strategic Capital. The firm says it had about $315 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2026.