Abu Dhabi-based IHC said on Friday it has increased its stake in Invictus Investment Company to about 40 per cent after acquiring an additional 17.5 per cent holding in a transaction valued at roughly Dhs420m.

The investment was made through the purchase of 196 million shares in a major block trade, lifting IHC’s total shareholding in Invictus to approximately 40 per cent, the company said.

Invictus Investment Company operates across global trade corridors covering food commodities, industrial inputs, logistics and supply chain solutions.

The company reported strong growth across its international operations, delivering its highest financial performance to date.

Invictus posts robust growth in H1 2025

In H1 2025, Invictus posted a 164 per cent year-on-year increase in EBITDA to Dhs189.7m, while revenue rose 43 per cent to Dhs6.1 bn, marking its strongest half-year performance since listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in 2022.

Total equity increased to Dhs1.3 bn. The company expanded its geographic footprint to 65 countries, entering 10 new markets during the period and advancing acquisitions to strengthen its midstream and downstream capabilities.

IHC said the additional investment reflects its confidence in Invictus’ long-term growth trajectory and aligns with its strategy of backing globally integrated platforms operating in sectors critical to economic stability.

IHC move reflects support for high-performing businesses

“Increasing our shareholding in Invictus Investment Company underscores our conviction in its strategic direction and its expanding role in global trade and supply chain ecosystems,” said Syed Basar Shueb, chief executive of IHC. “This investment reinforces IHC’s commitment to supporting high-performing businesses that deliver resilience, innovation and value across global markets.”

Amir Daoud Abdellatif, chief executive of Invictus Investment Company, said the increased investment was a vote of confidence in the company’s strategy and execution. “The progress achieved by Invictus Investment across financial performance, operational scale and strategic expansion reinforces our confidence in the direction we are taking and our optimism for the future,” he said.

The transaction strengthens IHC’s exposure to sectors supporting critical economic infrastructure worldwide, the company said.

As Abu Dhabi cements its status as one of the world’s most influential financial centres, family offices are emerging as a core pillar of its investment ecosystem. Today, ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) is not only celebrating a decade of regulatory excellence and institutional expansion, but also positioning itself as the most sophisticated jurisdiction for global and regional family offices seeking governance, stability, and long-term wealth preservation.

Few leaders have had a closer vantage point to this transformation than Arvind Ramamurthy, chief market development officer at ADGM, who has witnessed firsthand the explosive growth of private capital entering Abu Dhabi. In this interview, he outlines how family offices are reshaping the UAE’s investment landscape, why ADGM has become their jurisdiction of choice, and how international interest—particularly from the UK—is accelerating.

This comes at a milestone moment for ADGM, which marks its 10th anniversary with record-breaking growth and unprecedented global interest. Since its inception in 2015, the financial centre has attracted over 300 financial firms, collectively managing $28.6tr globally, according to estimates from AIMA. Over the past three years alone, the number of financial institutions within ADGM has grown by 135 per cent, rising from 131 at the end of 2021 to 308 as of H1 2025—making ADGM one of the fastest-growing international financial centres worldwide.

In parallel, ADGM surpassed its 5-year Growth Strategy (2022–2027) targets in just three years, fuelled by a surge in funds, asset managers, and private capital platforms choosing Abu Dhabi as their operational base. The centre now counts more than 11,000 active licenses, with a 42 per cent jump in assets under management (AUM) in H1 2025, reinforcing its position as the largest financial hub in MENA.

Against this backdrop, family offices—local, regional, and increasingly global—have become one of ADGM’s most strategically important constituencies.

Ramamurthy is unequivocal about their importance.

“Family offices are among the fastest-growing investment vehicles globally, and Abu Dhabi is no exception,” he says. “In fact, family offices are deeply embedded in the economic and social fabric of the UAE, acting as custodians of generational wealth and key contributors to national growth.”

The scale of their influence is significant. “With billions of dollars in AUM across the UAE, family offices represent a high-quality and stable pool of capital. Their strategic and long-term investment horizons align well with the ambitions of Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification journey.”

ADGM sits at the centre of this “Capital of Capital” ecosystem. “ADGM alone sits within a wider Abu Dhabi capital ecosystem of over $1.82tr in Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs), with family offices managing an estimated $200bn, highlighting their strategic importance within the investment landscape.”

Abu Dhabi leads the Middle East and Africa in liveability, according to the Global Liveability Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The city distinguished itself through improvements in stability, healthcare, and infrastructure. These fundamentals give confidence that Abu Dhabi is not just a place to invest, but also a place to live, grow, and thrive long term, Ramamurthy states. But the role of family offices in the emirate goes far beyond capital deployment. “In Abu Dhabi, they are not just capital allocators but ecosystem builders. They’ve been first movers in establishing diverse businesses, nurturing talent, and investing in transformational sectors including technology, healthcare, infrastructure, financial services
and sustainability.”

Crucially, many now operate as co-investors and long-term partners to sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and institutional asset managers. “They increasingly operate not only as investors but as co-investors and capital partners alongside sovereign wealth funds and institutional players, playing a pivotal role in shaping the investment direction of the region.”

To support this fast-expanding segment, ADGM has developed one of the most sophisticated and flexible family office frameworks globally.

“At ADGM, we have built a sophisticated and tailored ecosystem for family offices, providing flexible structures, bespoke regulatory frameworks, and world-class service providers to support the full spectrum of their needs,”
says Ramamurthy.

The jurisdiction offers an unusually deep toolkit of governance and wealth-structuring mechanisms. “The platform that ADGM provides is particularly suited to the unique complexities of family offices, offering governance tools like trusts, foundations, private trust companies, and robust dispute resolution mechanisms, including direct application of English Common Law.”

Succession planning, a major priority in the region, is embedded in ADGM’s offering. “We also facilitate succession planning and intergenerational wealth transfer through structures like Foundations, where we now host over 448 foundations as of September 2025, one of the highest in the region.”

Family offices can also leverage ADGM’s networking and capital access advantages. “In addition, our ecosystem, wherever needed, connects family offices to leading fund managers, tech innovators, and private capital platforms.”

Collaboration with key industry bodies ensures alignment with market needs. “We are also collaborating with the Emirates Family Office Association and key networks like MEVCA and MEIMA to ensure alignment with market needs.”

A wide range of licensing options allows for flexibility across sophistication levels and operational scope. “Depending on their stage and scope, family offices can choose from three bespoke licensing pathways: Single-Family Office (SFO), Multi-Family Office (MFO), or Structuring Only via SPVs, Trusts or Foundations.”

ADGM also offers confidentiality mechanisms. “ADGM’s RSC (Restricted Scope Company) structure also enables enhanced confidentiality while maintaining full legal integrity.”

Perhaps most importantly, ADGM has built a white-glove onboarding system for families relocating to or operating from the emirate. “Through ADGM’s CRM team, we offer hands-on support in setting up operations, connecting with banks, office space providers, legal advisors and even relocation and education services, ensuring a seamless entry into the Abu Dhabi ecosystem.”

Over the past decade, Abu Dhabi’s relationship with family offices has transformed dramatically.

“There has been a significant shift,” Ramamurthy explains. “Family offices now see Abu Dhabi not just as a home base but as a global gateway, a jurisdiction that offers legal certainty, a stable tax environment, access to SWFs and co-investors, and connectivity to global markets.”

The institutionalisation of family offices is accelerating. “Many family offices that were once operated through fragmented structures are now centralising their operations, professionalising governance, and broadening their investment mandates across asset classes and geographies.”

Capital markets activity—both public and private—has been another draw. “The growing number of IPOs, new capital markets access, and greater regulatory clarity in ADGM have further attracted their attention.”

As of 2024, ADX surpassed $800bn in market cap, with active debt, equity, and green bond markets increasingly appealing to family offices seeking scalable exits. “This market cap has since grown in 2025, with recent numbers, and so has the interest from family offices.”

ADGM’s regulatory innovations—particularly in private credit and virtual asset funds—have also expanded the range of investment strategies available to family offices.

Perhaps one of the most impactful developments has been the introduction of Ministerial Decision 261 (2024), which created new tax clarity for structures commonly used by family offices. “It now allows Foundations to hold SPVs and Companies without triggering corporate tax, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s attractiveness for wealth preservation and intergenerational planning.”

The renewed global confidence in ADGM is reflected in the calibre of investors it is attracting. “Recently, several prominent international family offices and billionaire investors — including Ray Dalio, Elysium Management, Asif Aziz, Wafic Saïd, Kishin RK, RB Capital/Royal Holdings, Kapoor Wealth Partners, and Apeiron Investment Group — have established operations within ADGM.”

One of the most notable recent trends has been the surge of interest from the United Kingdom.

“Interest from UK-based family offices and high-net-worth individuals has grown meaningfully over the last few years,” Ramamurthy says. Proximity, lifestyle advantages, and investor-friendly policies play a role, but the legal environment is the
real differentiator.

“In my opinion, what is especially appealing to UK families is our legal environment. ADGM’s existence as the only jurisdiction with the direct application of English Common Law provides the familiarity and legal assurance that many UK entities seek. That, coupled with a favourable tax environment, is a difficult combination to find in this region.”

What began as curiosity has become action. “In recent years, we have seen this interest convert into action. UK-origin family offices are setting up Single-Family Offices, investing through SPVs, and engaging with local opportunities in venture capital, private equity, and real estate.”

The administrative experience is another draw. “They also benefit from ADGM’s simplified licensing process, digital application infrastructure, and concierge support, including real estate guidance, school selection, fast-track Golden Visas, and banking introductions.”

More broadly, Ramamurthy says the UK trend reflects Abu Dhabi’s positioning as the global centre of private capital. “We offer the ‘Path to Forward’ for family offices seeking jurisdictional resilience, next-gen readiness, and global connectivity. And we are seeing growing interest from UK families who appreciate the combination of operational flexibility and high lifestyle quality, all within a regulatory environment they understand and trust.”

ADGM’s 10th anniversary marks more than a milestone—it marks a strategic inflection point for Abu Dhabi’s financial future.

With its 123 per cent AAGR in AUM, 62 per cent AAGR in fund managers, and expansion to 11,000+ active licences, ADGM has not only become the largest IFC in MENA—it is now
one of the most influential hubs for private
capital globally.

Family offices are central to this next chapter. As generational wealth grows, as governance structures mature, and as Abu Dhabi continues its economic diversification journey, ADGM’s tailored frameworks, global connectivity, and regulatory sophistication position it as the natural home for the next wave of global family offices.

Q Mobility has announced the commencement of parking regulation in the commercial sectors of Mohamed Bin Zayed City, under the supervision of the Integrated Transport Centre of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, starting Monday, December 15, 2025.

According to a WAM report, the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to reduce illegal and random parking while optimising traffic flow across key commercial areas. The first phase covers ME9, ME10, ME11 and ME12, focusing on the optimal use of parking spaces and the creation of organised, safe parking areas.

Read more-Abu Dhabi launches FIDA cluster to drive next-generation finance push

Q Mobility confirmed that parking will be free during this initial phase, a move expected to encourage compliance and ease the transition for motorists. The company said the regulation programme is designed to enhance user experience while supporting smoother traffic movement.

The initiative aims to enhance comfort, organisation and liveability in Mohamed Bin Zayed City.

Dubai Police issued a public safety alert to residents and citizens on Saturday evening, warning of adverse weather conditions across the emirate. The alert was sent directly to mobile phones.

Authorities urged the public to avoid beaches and marine activities, stay away from valleys and flood-prone areas, and exercise caution while driving.

Residents were also advised to follow official guidance and instructions as conditions evolve.

UAE weather alert for December 13-19

On Friday, December 12, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), reported that the UAE will be affected by a surface low-pressure system from December 13 to December 19, bringing periods of atmospheric instability across the country.

The weather system, extending from the Red Sea, will arrive in waves and is expected to be accompanied by humid southeasterly winds and an upper-level low-pressure system that will deepen and weaken at intervals, the NCM said.

From Saturday to Monday, conditions are forecast to be partly cloudy to cloudy at times, with a chance of light to moderate rainfall. Rain may become heavy over some areas, particularly over islands as well as coastal and northern regions, state news agency, WAM reported.

From Tuesday through Friday, the upper-level low-pressure system is expected to deepen further and be accompanied by a cold air mass. Increased cloud cover, including convective clouds, could bring intermittent rainfall of varying intensity, with a possibility of thunder, lightning and hail in some areas.

Winds are expected to be southeasterly to northeasterly, gradually shifting northwesterly, becoming moderate to fresh and strong at times, particularly during convective cloud activity. Blowing dust and sand may reduce horizontal visibility, the NCM said.

Sea conditions are forecast to be slight to moderate, becoming rough at times in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Unsettled weather is forecast across the country this week, with Sunday (December 14) expected to be the wettest day amid heavy rain and thunderstorms across parts of the UAE.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) had issued a detailed weather report covering the period from the evening of December 12 through December 19, indicating a spell of unstable conditions across the UAE.

According to the NCM, the country is being influenced by the extension of a surface low-pressure system accompanied by an upper-level low-pressure system that will deepen and weaken at intervals throughout the week. The system is expected to generate varying cloud formations along with a chance of scattered rainfall occurring intermittently.

Wind patterns will fluctuate, the NCM said, shifting between southeasterly and northeasterly, and occasionally turning northwesterly. Winds will generally be light to moderate but may become active at times, particularly in areas with cloud activity, potentially causing blowing dust and reduced visibility in exposed regions.

Sea conditions are also expected to vary. The Arabian Gulf will be slight to moderate, becoming rough at times in conjunction with cloud cover, while the Sea of Oman will remain slight to moderate.