WTW secures approval to operate investment arm in Dubai International Financial Centre

Global professional services firm WTW has received approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to operate its investments business within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

The regulatory approval enables WTW to offer its clients in Dubai with investment advisory services and arrange access to fund solutions. WTW will target wealth managers, family offices, institutional clients and segments such as end-of-service benefits and auto-enrollment – areas which are seeing strong growth in Dubai as its financial ecosystem matures.

“With the DFSA license now in place we can fully engage the market with wealth managers, family offices and institutional clients who increasingly require the caliber of thinking and innovation that WTW is known for,” said Diya Luke, Global Head of Investments at WTW.

Ahmad Waarie, Head of MENA at WTW, said the license marked an important step in expanding the firm’s business in the UAE through the new service line. “Our clients in the region have always valued the rigour and independence that WTW brings to investment decision-making. Now, with an established regulated presence in the DIFC, we can build deeper relationships, expanding the range of services we deliver on the ground.”

For DIFC, the addition of WTW brings one of the world’s largest investment advisory firms into its ecosystem. “With more than $3.6 trillion in assets under advisory and $187 billion in assets under management, WTW’s Investments business brings significant global expertise in investment advisory and institutional consulting to the DIFC community,” said Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC.

Beyond investments, WTW offers consulting services and solutions in the areas of human capital, insurance and risk management. The firm was last year named among the Middle East’s leading consulting firms.