Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
KKR, a leading global investment firm, has announced the opening of a new office in ADGM, underscoring the company’s long-term commitment to the UAE and the wider Middle East region. The move follows in-principle approval from the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) on October 20, 2025, with final approval pending.
Commenting on the announcement, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said: “KKR’s decision to establish an office in ADGM reflects Abu Dhabi’s stature as a leading global financial centre and a strategic destination for the world’s top investment firms. We welcome KKR to our community and look forward to supporting their continued growth and participation in the region’s expanding investment landscape.”
The Abu Dhabi office will be led by Julian Barratt-Due, Managing Director and Head of Middle East Investing. Earlier this year, General David Petraeus (US Army, Ret.) was appointed as Chairman of KKR Middle East, supporting the firm’s expanding presence in the region.
Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall, Co-CEOs of KKR, said: “Since opening our first office in the Middle East 16 years ago, we’ve built strong partnerships with investors, businesses, and government entities across the region. The UAE has demonstrated remarkable stability, vision, and leadership in shaping a modern, diversified economy. Expanding our presence into Abu Dhabi reflects our deep confidence in the country’s continued growth and its emergence as one of the world’s most important financial and investment hubs.”
Barratt-Due added: “Establishing a presence in ADGM puts KKR at the centre of one of the region’s fastest-growing financial ecosystems. Abu Dhabi’s commitment to innovation, infrastructure, and technology makes it an increasingly compelling market for global investors. With a strengthened on-the-ground presence, we look forward to working closely with our partners to deliver long-term value across the UAE and the wider region.”
The new Abu Dhabi office adds to KKR’s existing regional network, which includes offices in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), opened in 2009, and Riyadh, established in 2014 and recently relocated to the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD).
Since 2019, KKR has expanded its investments across the Middle East, including acquiring a minority stake in ADNOC Gas Pipeline Assets. In early 2025, the firm also announced a strategic investment in Gulf Data Hub (GDH), a major data centre platform in the region, committing up to $5 billion to support its international expansion and meet growing demand for AI and data infrastructure.
