Power & Impact
Christiane El Habre, Regional Managing Director for the Middle East at Apex Group, discusses the event’s role in fostering meaningful connections.
The Middle East is cementing its position as a key private capital and asset management hub, attracting global attention for its growth potential and dynamic markets. Apex Invest Abu Dhabi, a premier event by Apex Group, brings together investors and asset managers to explore transformative trends and foster collaboration in this evolving landscape.
Christiane El Habre, Apex Group’s Regional Managing director for the Middle East, shares insights into how the event aligns with the company’s mission to go beyond service provision, emphasizing thought leadership and strategic partnership. From the region’s focus on ESG integration to the transformative impact of emerging asset classes like AI and digital assets, the discussion highlights why the Middle East is a vital financial hub.
Through initiatives like Apex Invest Abu Dhabi, Apex Group leverages its global reach and local expertise to create meaningful connections and actionable insights.
What inspired you to organize Apex Invest Abu Dhabi, and how does this event fit into Apex’s overall mission?
Apex Invest Abu Dhabi is part of Apex Group’s series of premier networking events, which bring together global and regional investors and foster meaningful dialogue on the future of asset management.
As a company that bridges global reach with local expertise, we drive impactful conversations and provide actionable insights for the financial community.
Apex Invest Abu Dhabi—and other Apex Invest events—are key pillars in our broader mission to be more than a service provider. We aim to be a thought leader and strategic partner, creating opportunities for collaboration in the world’s most dynamic markets.
With high-profile investors like Mubadala, ADIA, and ADQ having attended, what investment trends are you seeing in the Middle East? Are there specific sectors primed for growth?
It has been clear for some time the Middle East is cementing its position as a leading hub for private capital and asset management, particularly in sectors such as private equity, venture capital, and infrastructure.
Survey results from Apex Invest Abu Dhabi revealed attendees see the region as having the greatest growth potential for private capital in 2025, surpassing other global markets.
We expect to see healthcare, financial services, education, and real estate perform strongly, driven by various socioeconomic trends and regional growth initiatives—such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
What makes the Middle East, and particularly the UAE, stand out as an investment hub compared to other regions?
The Middle East’s unique combination of strong capital inflows—partially due to favourable oil prices—government-backed reforms, and infrastructure development, make it a highly attractive market for asset managers and investors.
The UAE stands out for its strategic location, business-friendly environment, commitment to innovation, and mandate to invest domestically, creating opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs.
The survey at Apex Invest Abu Dhabi reinforced this sentiment: 39% of attendees ranked the Middle East as offering the highest growth potential for private capital in 2025, well ahead of other markets.
The event covered emerging asset classes like AI, digital assets, and secondaries. Which of these do you believe will most transform the industry, and what role will Apex play in this shift?
AI and digital assets have the potential to redefine the asset management industry by creating new avenues for value creation and operational efficiency—for managers and for their portfolios.
Secondaries, particularly for private equity players, are also gaining major traction as investors seek liquidity and portfolio diversification.
Apex Group is well positioned to support the growth in these asset classes, offering tailored services and leveraging our cross-asset-class platform so investors can capitalize on these transformative opportunities.
How is Apex supporting investors in integrating sustainability and ESG factors into their portfolios, particularly in a region with strong oil and gas ties?
Sustainability and ESG considerations are becoming increasingly important for investors across the Middle East, with a clear shift toward impact-driven asset management. This is borne out by our Apex Invest Abu Dhabi survey – 71% of attendees forecast a steer in asset management strategies to risk-adjusted return and impact investing over the next decade.
At Apex Group, ESG has been a consideration for over 15 years. Via our dedicated ESG brand, Holtara, we support clients across the full investment lifecycle, from fundraising to exit.
Specifically, we advise and enable clients to understand the evolving ESG landscape, providing them with the tools to conduct informed ESG assessments; drawing on proven methodologies and industry-leading sustainability experts.
These capabilities enable clients to incorporate ESG into their operations and those of their portfolio companies—aligning closely with the GCC’s broader push for responsible investment and sustainable growth.
How are evolving regulations in the Middle East shaping its investment landscape? Are there unique regulatory challenges or opportunities here?
The Middle East’s regulatory landscape is rapidly evolving as regulators innovate to create business-friendly environments that attract global investment and provide opportunities for domestic private sector growth.
Navigating these evolving landscapes can be complex—creating challenges for clients—which is why on-the-ground insight and expertise is so invaluable.
At Apex Group, we work closely and continuously engage with regional regulators to foster a positive business environment—both directly and via our active membership of the Middle East Investment Management Association, which advocates for industry interests.
You’ve designed a networking model with two investors per asset manager. How does this approach foster stronger connections, and what outcomes do you expect?
This focus on bringing investors together with asset managers creates an environment for meaningful, agenda-setting conversations.
By maintaining a higher ratio of investors to asset managers, we ensure attendees engage in in-depth discussions and build relationships that go beyond surface-level connections. This creates enhanced opportunities for capital raising/deployment, spurring growth for regional industry players.
What are Apex Group’s long-term goals in the Middle East? Are there specific partnerships or initiatives on the horizon to deepen Apex’s role in the region?
Our long-term vision is to be the go-to financial solutions provider in the Middle East, supporting the region’s asset managers and investors – while aligning with regional initiatives driving diversification and private sector growth.
With offices in the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, we’re expanding our local footprint while enhancing partnerships with key stakeholders such as sovereign wealth funds and family offices.
Initiatives such as Apex Invest Abu Dhabi are part of our commitment to deepening engagement in the region, and we’re excited to announce new collaborations and expansions in the near future.
