BrazilFinancial communications consultancy Capital Gate Advisors launches in Middle East
The Middle East has welcomed a new professional services firms to the scene: Capital Gate Advisors.
Headquartered in the UAE, Capital Gate Advisors is a communications consultancy specializing in financial communications, investor relations, public policy, and corporate reputation management. Founded by industry veterans Ajith Henry and Wajih Halawa, Capital Gate Advisors has kickstarted with a small team in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh, and assembled a team of (associated) consultants in major financial hubs such as London, New York, Mumbai, and Singapore.
Managing Partner Henry, who formerly led FTI Consulting’s communications business in the Middle East, said that Capital Gate Advisors positions itself as a “high-level strategic and hands-on partner who ensures the effectively implementation of strategies.” In addition, the start-up firm prides itself on a senior heavy-expert model, with each of its consultants bringing at least two decades of experience to the table.
“We’re committed to providing senior-level counsel and execution, ensuring that every client engagement benefits from direct involvement of seasoned experts. Our model emphasizes a trusted partner and collaborator mindset, working closely with clients to deliver tailored solutions that go beyond strategy to hands-on execution,” added Halawa.
From an offerings perspective, Capital Gate Advisors will provide communications services around major organizational changes (new strategy, reorganization), financial transactions (mergers & acquisitions, capital raisings, initial public offerings), and times of financial distress (crisis management, restructuring and turnaround).
Notably, co-founders Henry and Halawa bring an extensive track record in this space. Henry for example advised on the IPOs of Salik, Parkin, Empower, Modern Mills, Abu Dhabi Ports and ACWA Power, while Halawa during his work with Abu Dhabi investment group ADQ was part of teams that supported deals including Abu Dhabi Power Corporation and TAQA, Al Foah Dates and Agthia, and Emirates Steel and Arkan.
In the area of corporate reputation management, Capital Gate Advisors will support financial services institutions with developing and rolling out their communication plans, including in the area of ESG. The firm’s public affairs arm will support corporates with engaging with senior government stakeholders on public policy, with a focus on regulatory environments.
Capital Gate Advisors will offer a homegrown alternative to clients in the financial communications marketplace, which is traditionally dominated by global pure-play players such as Edelman, Finn Partners, Brunswick Group, FGS Global and Hill & Knowlton, and the large communications wings of management consultancies such as FTI Consulting and Teneo.
