Spanish alternative asset management, investment banking, and credit portfolio advisory firm, Alantra is opening an office in Dubai, as it aims to expand its international client network.
Alantra will be based in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a leading international financial hub in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. As part of the expansion, Alantra has hired Mr. Saad Ashraf from London-based advisory firm StormHarbour as a managing partner to lead a team of four bankers based in Dubai.
The launch of the new office comes as other European investment banks, including France’s Natixis, have been accelerating their presence in the Gulf region where oil companies and governments seek to attract foreign capital and diversify revenues. With this expansion, Alantra seeks to lure more business from corporates and high net worth individuals in the Middle East region.
Miguel Hernandez CEO – Investment Banking Division Alantra
“By opening our first-ever office in the Middle East, we are adding an ‘on the ground’ presence in Dubai, which has grown to become one of the most exciting and dynamic financial hubs in the world. In recent years, the Middle East has experienced an upsurge in cross-border M&A activity. We believe that now is the right time for Alantra to establish a presence in the region as we continue to offer our mid-market clients a highly specialized service with a truly global reach.”
Last year, dealmaking was up 60 percent in the Gulf region, amid a global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) boom that topped $5 trillion in 2021 for the first time ever.
Based in Madrid, Alantra was established in 2001 and ranks as Spain’s sixth-largest investment bank for deals below $500 million.
