WTW Achieves DFSA Licensing to Advance Investment Services in DIFC

WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), a leading global advisory and solutions firm, has secured approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to establish itself as WTW Investments (DIFC) Limited in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

This approval represents a significant milestone in WTW’s ambitions to expand throughout the Middle East. With this new licence, the company is set to actively deliver investment advisory services and grant access to its extensive range of regulated investment solutions from within DIFC, bolstering its foothold in one of the globe’s most dynamic financial hubs.

The DFSA licence empowers WTW to provide tailored investment advisory solutions and facilitate access to fund offerings for an expanding array of clients. This includes wealth management entities, family offices, end-of-service benefit schemes, and auto-enrollment programs—all experiencing increasing interest across the region.

WTW has built a robust presence in the Middle East. Prior to this licence, the firm has been offering strategic investment advisory to some of the largest sovereign wealth and public pension funds in the region. They have also aided multinational employers in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia with comprehensive international pension and savings planning, including strategy, outsourcing, and employee engagement services.

Diya Luke, Global Head of Investments at WTW, called the licensing a pivotal achievement for the firm. He emphasizes that WTW has devoted years to cultivating trusted partnerships with key asset owners throughout the Middle East and is now ready to broaden its services towards wealth managers, family offices, and institutional investors looking for superior investment strategies and innovative solutions.

His Excellency Arif Amiri, CEO of the DIFC Authority, commented on WTW’s choice to launch its regional investment operations in DIFC, underscoring the emirate's ascent as a premier global center for wealth and asset management. He noted that DIFC is home to the largest ecosystem of wealth and asset management services in the region, providing immediate access to investment prospects, capital, and clientele.

As per DIFC, WTW Investments oversees more than USD 3.6 trillion in assets under advisory, in addition to USD 187 billion under management globally. The company's establishment further consolidates DIFC’s status as a premier financial center in the region.

WTW recognizes the Middle East as a crucial growth sector and is set on further investing in local talent, infrastructure, and client engagement. The new licensing not only grants formal regulatory approval but also boosts confidence among both existing and potential clients, reinforcing its long-term growth vision in the region.

Dr. Ahmad Waarie, Director of WTW Investments (DIFC) and Head of MENA at WTW, stated that the DFSA licence marks a critical development in the company's regional journey. He added that the Middle East represents a strategic focus for WTW, intending to merge its global expertise with local insights to enrich relationships with investors and institutions across the area.

With its regulatory presence in DIFC now affirmed, WTW is poised to enhance its on-ground investment services and solidify its role in the Middle East’s evolving financial landscape.