Instinctif Partners launches new office in UAE's capital city Abu Dhabi

Instinctif Partners has launched a new office in Abu Dhabi, its third in the region, as the UK-headquartered communications and reputation advisory firm steps up its ambition in the Middle East.

Samantha Bartel, MENA CEO at Instinctif Partners, said the expansion signals the firm’s intent in the region, with the new Abu Dhabi hub to operate alongside its offices in Dubai and Riyadh.

“We are honoured to have advised clients in the region for over a decade from our local offices in Dubai and Riyadh, and now look forward to building on this success with our newly launched Abu Dhabi office. We’re looking forward to working even more closely with government clients and corporates,” said Bartel.

With around 350 people across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Instinctif Partners supports private and public sector clients with reputation management, IPO communications, investor relations, corporate reporting, ESG and sustainability, and public affairs. Its Middle East team is around 60-strong.

“Our Abu Dhabi office will enable us to support clients seamlessly across several sectors and industries in the UAE’s capital city,” said Julian Walker, CEO of Instinctif Partners. “This commitment to meeting our clients where they are, is reflected in the quality of our work and caliber of our team.”

Jim Donaldson, Non-Executive Chair at Instinctif Partners, further emphasized: “Abu Dhabi is of strategic importance to our growth in the Middle East. Our new office will strengthen our in-market capabilities, adding depth to the insights we provide our clients. Instinctif Partners’ growth is tied to the success of our clients, which is why we take a client-first approach globally.”

Late last year, Instinctif Partners launched its Public Policy practice in MENA, to act as a bridge between the public and private sectors and advise governments on their development agendas.