Flint Culture expands Middle East presence with new Abu Dhabi office

Flint Culture, an international communications consultancy dedicated to the arts & culture and creative sectors, has launched a new hub in Abu Dhabi – its fourth in the Middle East.

UK-headquartered Flint Culture has been in business since 2009, with the Middle East over the years becoming a key part of its business.

Today, Flint Culture has one office in Europe (London), one is Asia (Delhi), and four in the Middle East. The new hub in the UAE’s capital city comes following earlier expansions into Dubai, Riyadh, and Istanbul.

“Establishing a permanent presence in Abu Dhabi is an exciting move for us and one that has long been a goal for Flint Culture – and we look forward to further supporting cultural institutions and projects in the Emirate,” said Wol Balston, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Flint Culture.

Since setting up its UAE base in 2019, Flint Culture has worked on “many landmark projects” in Abu Dhabi said Balston. While the firm typically doesn’t reveal its clients, known feat is that Flint Culture played a driving role in the setup and success of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, among other projects.

“Our mission is to provide our clients with culturally informed strategies that reflect our in-depth understanding of their cultural landscape and context. Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of cultural development in the region, and the opening of our new base reflects our commitment to supporting clients in the UAE’s fast-moving cultural scene.”

Leading the new venture is Dernagh O'Leary, appointed as Director of Abu Dhabi, and Mohammed Al Daqqaq, brought on board as Associate Director. They lead a team of junior and medior colleagues that have already been hired and/or relocated to Abu Dhabi, with further recruitment underway.

Flint Culture’s new base is located in M_39, at the heart of the Mina Zayed district in the MiZa neighbourhood, which is a hotspot for creative businesses in Abu Dhabi.