WTW Receives DFSA Approval to Enhance Investment Services in DIFC

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), a leading global advisory and solutions firm, has obtained the green light from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to function as WTW Investments (DIFC) Limited within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

This crucial approval serves as a significant step in WTW's strategic enlargement across the Middle East. With the acquired licence, the firm is set to actively deliver investment advisory services and grant access to its comprehensive suite of regulated investment solutions from the DIFC, thus reinforcing its footprint in one of the globe’s rapidly evolving financial hubs.

The DFSA licence permits WTW to offer investment advisory services and provide fund solutions to a broader spectrum of clients. These include wealth management entities, family offices, end-of-service benefits programs, and auto-enrollment systems, all of which are witnessing a surge in demand throughout the region.

Prior to this licence acquisition, WTW already established a robust footing in the Middle East, delivering strategic investment advice to some of the region’s most prominent sovereign wealth and public pension funds. It has also worked closely with multinational employers in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, offering integrated international pension and savings plans that encompass investment strategies, outsourcing, and improved employee experiences.

Diya Luke, Global Head of Investments at WTW, hailed the approval as a pivotal milestone for the firm. He emphasized that after years of nurturing trusted collaborations with key asset owners in the Middle East, WTW stands ready to expand its offerings to wealth managers, family offices, and institutional investors who are in search of top-notch investment expertise and innovative solutions.

His Excellency Arif Amiri, CEO of the DIFC Authority, remarked that WTW’s choice to set up its investment operations in DIFC underscores Dubai’s escalation as a central hub for global wealth and asset management. He highlighted that DIFC is home to the largest ecosystem of wealth and asset management firms in the region, providing direct access to lucrative investment avenues, capital, and clients.

As per DIFC data, WTW Investments manages in excess of USD 3.6 trillion in assets under advisory and USD 187 billion in assets under management globally. The firm’s presence only serves to bolster DIFC’s standing as a preeminent financial center in the region.

Recognizing the Middle East as a pivotal growth sector, WTW aims to continue investing in local talent, infrastructure, and client relationships. The official regulatory sanction with the new licence enhances trust among current and potential clients while reinforcing its long-term growth plans in the region.

Dr. Ahmad Waarie, Director of WTW Investments (DIFC) and Head of MENA at WTW, noted that receiving the DFSA licence is a landmark advancement in the company’s regional growth journey. He further stated that the Middle East is a strategic focus for WTW, aiming to blend its global expertise with local insights to strengthen connections with investors and institutions throughout the region.

With its regulatory presence in DIFC firmly established, WTW is set to expand its local investment services and bolster its role within the evolving financial landscape of the Middle East.

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