Partners Group, a Swiss-based global private markets firm, has expanded its presence in the Middle East with the opening of a new regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

“Abu Dhabi is increasingly becoming a centre of gravity for global advancements in technology, energy, next-generation manufacturing, and digital services,” says executive board chairman Steffen Meister. “It is attracting increasing amounts of capital, drawn to the regional investment opportunities and the chance to partner with Abu Dhabi’s cutting-edge investors on global transactions.

“From our new regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi, we look forward to partnering with institutions to capitalize on the many opportunities arising from the upcoming technology-led transformation of industries, often with a nexus to the region.”

The Abu Dhabi office will be headed by Suhail Albaz, chairman for the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.

Partners Group established its presence in the Middle East in 2010 when it opened its Dubai office. Today, the group’s portfolio companies employ over 2,000 individuals in the region.  For example, International School Partnerships, a leading group of private international schools founded by Partners Group in 2013, recently acquired its tenth school in the Middle East.

On the client side, Partners Group collaborates with leading institutional investors in the Middle East, led by Nael Antaki, head of institutional clients for the Middle East. The group is also building out its regional private wealth business, and appointed Venugopal Reddy as head of private wealth for the Middle East last year.

The Abu Dhabi office brings Partners Group’s total number of offices worldwide to 22.