Abu Dhabi Investment Authority contracts FTI Consulting for media relations

Emirati sovereign wealth fund The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority has contracted FTI Consulting for its global communications and media relations requirements, according to reports.

Established in the Middle East in 2005, and with a current approximate headcount of 50 across its three offices in the UAE and Qatar, FTI Consulting first brought its Strategic Communications practice to the region in 2008 – joining the firm’s lines in Construction Solutions, Corporate Restructuring and more recently Global Risk & Investigations and Economic Financial Consulting among others.

Since its local establishment, FTI’s Strategic Communications segment – which consists of 650 or so expert strategic communications consultants worldwide and serves clients managing financial, regulatory and reputational challenges – has represented numerous high-profile entities in the region, including previously investor relations for Saudi Aramaco’s in respect to the oil giant’s slated IPO.

Now, according to a report from PR news platform O’Dwyer’s, FTI Consulting has been tapped by Emirati sovereign wealth fund The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIF – recently named the world’s biggest real estate investor with assets exceeding $62 billion) to handle its global communications and media relations, for the reported monthly sum of $48,950 over the course of June 21st to the 3rd of March next year.As reported, the agreement will see the firm “proactively manage external interest in relevant ADIA transactions to protect ADIA’s reputation as a responsible, long-term investor,” with ADIA requiring round-the-clock communications and representation in the world’s major financial markets, as well as several developing and emerging ones – with reports earlier this year of a representational office to be established by ADIA in India.

The news platform, which bills itself as ‘the inside news of PR & marketing communications’ further outlined that the contract has been picked up by FTI’s London office, with the account to be handled by UK-based Andrew Walton, FTI Strategic Communications Senior Managing Director and Global head of its financial services division, and Jonathon Earl, Managing Director and Head of Middle East Strategic Communications.

As part of its Strategic Communications practice, FTI offers services in Corporate Reputation, Capital Markets Communications, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Digital and Creative Solutions, Strategy & Research consultancy for communications, and, among other further offerings, M&A Crisis Communications & Special Situations. Recently, the firm was forwarded by the petitioning Kuwaiti pension fund as its preferred liquidator in the Abraaj affair.