The firm’s announcement comes at a time when many firms have been enhancing their presence in Dubai and neighbouring Abu Dhabi.

US-headquartered investment manager Brown Advisory has just opened its first office in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to meet growing regional demand for its global and US equities and fixed income strategies.

The new office in the ADGM confirms the firm’s commitment to the Middle East, where it has been advising clients from the UAE and the wider region for over a decade.

Brown Advisory’s Jack Weatherby, has relocated to Abu Dhabi to become head of Middle East, the firm said in a statement. In this role, he will be developing existing and nurturing new client relationships, with plans to expand the team as the firm begins to build a greater presence in the Middle East market.

“The opening of our first office in the Middle East is another example of Brown Advisory demonstrating its dedication to excellence in customer service and supporting our client base,” Quintin Ings-Chambers, head of international business at Brown Advisory, said. “We have seen a growing demand from investors in the region keen to access Brown Advisory’s actively managed equity and fixed income strategies. Our newly-established presence in the ADGM will enable us to better serve clients – both new and existing – from our closer proximity to this strategically important region.”

A number of firms have set up shop recently in Dubai and neighbouring Abu Dhabi, exploiting the rising level of demand for wealth management. Zurich-headquartered Avaloq, a specialist in private banking, wealth management and investment management technology, has also just opened a new regional office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Hamilton Lane, a private markets investment management firm, also opened its newest office in the Middle East in February in order to meet the needs of regional clients more effectively.  

“The Middle East has been a growing source of investment and enquiries from investors looking to benefit from our long-term approach to investing,” Weatherby said. “The next natural step is to establish a presence in the region to be closer to our clients while capitalising on growth opportunities within one of the fastest-growing financial hubs in the world. We are actively developing new solutions that are relevant to clients located here and will help them achieve their specific and long-term investment objectives.”

Brown Advisory has 19 offices globally and is responsible for about $161.7 billion in assets for private and institutional clients and charities.