The GCC’s assets under management (AuM) surged to $2.2 trillion in 2024, marking a 9% growth from 2023, according to Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) latest Global Asset Management Report: From Recovery to Reinvention. This milestone reflects the region’s expanding role in global finance, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE driving retail mutual fund growth, and Kuwait and Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) managing the largest asset volumes.
Regional Leaders Driving Growth
Saudi Arabia and the UAE continue to lead in retail mutual funds, supported by strong market demand and diversified investment strategies. Meanwhile, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi dominate in SWF management, leveraging their scale for strategic global investments.
Lukasz Rey, Managing Director & Partner and Middle East Head of Financial Institutions at BCG, noted that this growth underscores the GCC’s rising prominence:
“The next decade’s leaders will be those who redefine their future, not just endure challenges… Saudi Arabia and the UAE anchor regional momentum, while SWF dominance signals the potential for local asset managers to rival global giants.”
Mohammad Khan, Managing Director & Partner at BCG, added:
“The GCC’s asset management industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and strategic growth, achieving $2.2 trillion in Assets Under Management (AuM) in 2024. With Saudi Arabia and the UAE driving retail mutual fund expansion and Kuwait and Abu Dhabi leading in sovereign wealth fund dominance, the region is steadily establishing itself as a global financial powerhouse…”
Key Drivers and Opportunities:
The report attributes 2024’s revenue growth primarily to market performance, highlighting the industry’s sensitivity to external forces. Three global trends are shaping the future of asset management:
1-New Products for Changing Investor Demands
Asset managers have an opportunity to expand active exchange-traded funds (ETFs), model portfolios, and separately managed accounts. The retail private assets market—already over $300 billion—presents strong growth potential, though it requires simplified design, regulatory navigation, and better investor education.
2-Consolidation and Digital Transformation
Strategic partnerships and M&A are enabling firms to gain scale and boost technology capabilities. Larger asset managers can leverage operational synergies, while smaller players must adopt leaner, tech-driven models to remain competitive.
3-Cost Discipline with AI Integration
AI, including generative AI, is transforming front-to-back-office operations. From process automation to complex asset management, technology is enhancing efficiency, particularly for illiquid and alternative assets.
A Resilient Market Outlook
Nabil Saadallah, Managing Director & Partner at BCG, emphasized that consistent 9% growth across the GCC reflects a resilient market, where pension funds and SWFs are “quietly reshaping the region’s financial architecture.”
The growing focus on cost discipline, value creation, and advanced technology investment positions the GCC to strengthen its global standing.
With strategic diversification, technological adoption, and disciplined growth, the GCC asset management industry is poised to rival global leaders in the coming decade.
Dhruva, a premier tax advisory firm with deep expertise across the Middle East, India, and Asia, today announced a strategic investment by Ryan, a leading global tax services and software provider. This partnership marks a significant step in Ryan’s expansion into the Middle East, India, and Asia, enhancing its ability to serve clients in high-growth markets while reinforcing its global capabilities.
As part of the transaction, US based Ryan will acquire a majority stake in Dhruva, creating a joint venture in India, Ryan’s senior leadership will join the Board of Dhruva, Partners of Dhruva will acquire equity in Ryan, ensuring long-term alignment, and Dinesh Kanabar, CEO of Dhruva Advisors, will take on the role of Vice Chairman at Ryan.
Founded in 2014 by Dinesh Kanabar, Dhruva has rapidly grown into one of the most respected tax advisory firms in India and the UAE. With 38 partners and senior leaders, supported by over 500 professionals across 11 offices in the Middle East, India, and Singapore, Dhruva advises leading businesses across industries such as aerospace, automotive, chemicals, finance, healthcare, technology, and real estate.
“Joining Ryan is a major milestone in Dhruva’s global growth journey as this partnership extends our global reach,” said Dinesh Kanabar, Chairman and CEO of Dhruva. “My leadership team and I chose to partner with Ryan because we believe it provides the strongest platform for our clients and team members for continued success. I am encouraged by the alignment of our respective leadership teams to meet the growing needs of our multinational clients and look forward to driving that growth in my new role as Vice Chairman at Ryan.”
“This partnership with Ryan is a defining moment for Dhruva. For the Middle East, this partnership is more than just scale – it’s about combining global expertise and regional insights. Together we are not only expanding scale but also shaping the future of tax advisory in the Middle East,” said Nimish Goel, Partner and Head of Middle East at Dhruva.
“We are excited to enter into this strategic partnership with Dhruva, which gives us a client-facing presence in the Middle East for the first time. The combination of our two firms will provide clients with unrivalled service in one of the fastest-growing markets for tax advisory services in the world,” said Tom Shave, President, Europe & Asia Pacific, Ryan.
Dhruva’s services span corporate tax and regulatory advisory, M&A tax structuring, indirect tax, transfer pricing, and cross-border trade compliance.
This move builds upon Ryan’s longstanding presence in India, where the firm has operated for over two decades with a primary office in Hyderabad, while marking its first client-facing entry into the Middle East. Together, Ryan and Dhruva will now expand across the Middle East and Asia with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Singapore.
By Sara Hoteit, Regional Sales Lead, Backbase Middle East
Sara Hoteit
For decades, white-glove banking in the Middle East relied on personal trust. High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and family offices turned to relationship managers (RMs) for access, expertise, and discretion. However, today’s digital-first generation of clients is inheriting wealth, and they expect faster, more transparent, and more personalised service than traditional models can deliver.
Why are younger clients walking away?
Recent surveys show a dramatic shift. Capgemini reports that 81% of affluent heirs plan to change their wealth managers. The reason is not a lack of expertise, but dissatisfaction with slow, opaque, and disconnected experiences.
Traditional private banking often resembles a black box: clients see limited transparency, receive quarterly reports, and rely on infrequent meetings. In contrast, new generations want data, control, and insights at their fingertips. EY research confirms this gap, noting that only 7% of Gen Z trust bank advisers for financial guidance. Digital-first wealth platforms like Sarwa and StashAway are stepping in to meet these demands.
The human role in private banking
Despite this shift, the human element remains essential. Relationship managers still play a critical role in building trust and offering tailored advice. However, many spend most of their time on administrative tasks rather than client-facing work. McKinsey estimates up to 70% of RM time goes to back-office processes.
For banks, the solution lies in rethinking the role of advisers and empowering them with technology that eliminates inefficiencies while elevating client engagement.
Digital tools that elevate wealth management
Digitisation should enhance, not replace, personal service. Clients now expect customisable dashboards that reflect estate planning, performance analytics, or ESG-focused investments. Both advisers and clients benefit when these tools deliver real-time insights that support collaboration.
In addition, clients want flexible access to their advisers. EY notes that 85% still value personal advice, but they prefer it delivered on their terms—through secure chat, video calls, or collaborative digital platforms.
How AI empowers relationship managers
Technology can give RMs the edge they need. AI tools identify risks, recommend diversification, and flag liquidity needs. When embedded in RM workspaces, these insights keep advice timely and proactive.
Automation further reduces administrative work, allowing advisers to spend more time building meaningful client relationships. This shift restores the core value of wealth management: trust, loyalty, and personalised advice.
From products to financial journeys
Wealthy clients no longer want just products; they want holistic support. They expect advisers to guide them through succession planning, family governance, philanthropy, and alternative investments. Global disruptors like Robinhood proved how fast expectations can change, and regional players such as Baraka are echoing this trend.
Reinventing the white-glove model
Private banking is not obsolete, but it must adapt. Banks that reinvent white-glove banking for digital-first clients will combine AI-driven efficiency with human empathy. By empowering advisers, streamlining processes, and blending digital convenience with trust, banks can keep this premium model relevant.
In the end, successful institutions will prove that strong relationships, enhanced by smart technology, remain the most valuable currency in wealth management.
Sobha Realty has achieved a major financing breakthrough with its inaugural Sobha Realty Green Sukuk, valued at USD 750 million. This record-setting deal stands as the company’s largest issuance and the biggest Green Sukuk by a real estate developer worldwide. The Sukuk, launched under a USD 1.5 billion Trust Certificate Issuance Programme, will trade on both the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Dubai.
Sobha Realty Green Sukuk oversubscribed 2.8x
Investor demand proved exceptional. The five-year Sukuk, set to mature in 2030, attracted USD 2.1 billion in orders—2.8 times its issue size. As a result, pricing tightened by 50 basis points from initial guidance. Moreover, Sobha Realty fixed the Sukuk at a profit rate of 7.125% with an effective yield of 7.375%. Importantly, allocations reflected a balance: 56% from regional investors and 44% from international buyers.
Financing green projects through the Sukuk
The proceeds will finance or refinance sustainable projects outlined in Sobha Realty’s Green Financing Framework. Furthermore, the framework aligns with ICMA’s Green Bond Principles and LMA’s Green Loan Principles. In addition, DNV issued a Second Party Opinion confirming this alignment. Consequently, the Sobha Realty Green Sukuk directly connects capital markets with climate-focused development, ensuring measurable environmental benefits.
Chairman’s view on growth and responsibility
Mr. Ravi Menon, Chairman of Sobha Group
Ravi Menon, Chairman of Sobha Group, expressed confidence in the company’s strategy.
“The success of our Green Sukuk demonstrates investor belief in our financial strength and ESG vision. This issuance aligns our financing with our sustainability agenda. It also accelerates our green initiatives, positions us as a leader in sustainable luxury real estate, and supports the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.”
His words underline how the Sukuk combines financial discipline with long-term responsibility.
Ratings and banking partners
Moody’s expects to rate the Sukuk at Ba2 (Stable) and S&P at BB (Stable), matching Sobha Realty’s corporate profile. Additionally, leading banks supported the transaction. Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, J.P. Morgan, Mashreq, and Standard Chartered acted as Joint Global Coordinators. Several other institutions joined as Joint Lead Managers and Bookrunners. Moreover, Deutsche Bank and Emirates NBD Capital served as Joint ESG Structuring Coordinators, embedding sustainability into every stage.
A milestone in Sobha Realty’s financing journey
This issuance strengthens Sobha Realty’s balance sheet and sets a benchmark for sustainable real estate financing. By pairing luxury projects with green funding, the company proves that ESG and profitability can align. Communities like Sobha Hartland and Sobha Siniya Island will benefit as proceeds flow into projects built for long-term environmental and social value.
Ultimately, the Sobha Realty Green Sukuk represents more than a financing success. It reflects investor trust, confirms global credibility, and reinforces the company’s role in shaping sustainable communities aligned with the UAE’s national vision.
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