Canada’s Sagard expands global footprint with Abu Dhabi office

Canadian asset management firm Sagard Holdings has expanded its global footprint with an office in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the latest step in the company’s ongoing international expansion.

Sagard, which has 125 portfolio companies and $14.5bn assets under management, is controlled by the billionaire Desmarais family.

The Abu Dhabi office will be led by Firas Mallah, managing director and head of the Middle East.

“Firas will lead the acceleration of Sagard’s activities and will be responsible for developing its investor base, building its ecosystem and creating foundational partnerships, including for our portfolio companies,” the firm said in a statement.

He brings more than two decades of experience, with extensive Middle East fundraising expertise and strong relationships with institutional investors and various strategies in public and private markets.

The firm, which invests in venture capital, private equity, private credit, real estate, and royalties already has offices in Europe and the US.

Sagard joins a growing number of private equity firms flocking to the GCC, close to some of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds including Abu Dhabi’s ADQ, ADIA and Mubadala Investment Company.

In April, Ray Dalio’s family office said it was setting up a regional office in Abu Dhabi, building upon the firm’s existing hubs in the US and Singapore.

Similarly, Brevan Howard Asset Management co-founder Trifon Natsis relocated to the city, which has attracted a cadre of big hedge funds, venture capital firms and crypto companies over the past two years.

Sagard strengthens ties with the GCC

Meanwhile, Sagard’s new office cements ties between the asset management firm and the GCC region.

Earlier in July, ADQ and Canada’s Bank of Montreal (BMO) agreed to acquire minority equity stakes in Sagard, a deal that positioned the alternative asset manager for continued growth and value creation.

The company expanded its existing partnership with Canadian insurance-centred financial holding firm Great-West Lifeco (GWL) as part of the transaction, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s development.

ADQ, BMO and GWL agreed to make respective commitments of additional long-term capital to asset management firm’s existing and future investment strategies, strengthening fundraising potential and accelerating the firm’s ability to launch new products.

Read: ADQ, Canada’s Bank of Montreal to acquire minority stakes in Sagard