Bentley Reid, an employee-owned wealth manager bolsters its presence in Dubai. The announcement comes at a time when many firms have been enhancing their presence in Dubai and neighbouring Abu Dhabi.

London-headquartered Bentley Reid has opened its Dubai office, Bentley Reid (DIFC).

The company is incorporated in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and has been granted a Category 4 regulatory licence by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

CEO Peter Clark (pictured) has relocated with his family from the UK to Dubai to help establish the new operation, and the company has secured an office in the DIFC’s new funds centre, the firm said in a statement.

"Bentley Reid has been helping high and ultra-high net worth international families with their wealth management needs for over 40 years,” Clark said. “Our vast experience with expat clients in Hong Kong, in particular, makes opening a Middle East office a natural next step.”

“Originally founded in Hong Kong with a strong UK and European presence today, Bentley Reid’s decision to establish a presence in the centre reflects DIFC’s continued appeal to respected wealth and investment managers with a global mandate,” Salmaan Jaffery, chief business development officer at DIFC Authority said. “We look forward to supporting Bentley Reid as they expand their footprint and connect with the opportunities available from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia’s leading financial centre.”

According to a Henley & Partners report, as at the end of 2024, Dubai was home to the highest concentration of wealth in any Middle Eastern city. In 2025, the United Arab Emirates is projected to attract around 9,800 new millionaires, the highest inbound migration globally, outperforming traditional centres like London and Singapore.

The DIFC has also emerged as a hotspot for ultra-wealthy families. It hosts over 1,000 family-related entities, including 120 family offices managing $1.2 trillion in assets globally.

A number of firms have been enhancing their presence in Dubai and neighbouring Abu Dhabi recently. UBS, for instance, has opened an Advisory Office in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). US-headquartered investment manager Brown Advisory has also opened its first office in the ADGM to meet growing regional demand for its global and US equities and fixed income strategies. See here and here.