Dubai – 20 May 2026
Dubai International Financial Centre is pleased to welcome Gordian Capital as it expands its global institutional fund platform into the Middle East. Gordian’s proven expertise in regulated cross-border fund solutions will further strengthen DIFC’s asset management and funds ecosystem, supporting the evolving requirements of institutional managers, asset owners and investment professionals across the region. Its arrival reinforces DIFC’s position as the leading asset management hub in the Middle East and a globally recognized destination for institutional fund platforms.”
— Salmaan Jaffery
Global investor services group IQ-EQ has announced that its subsidiary, Gordian Capital, has secured regulatory approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority to establish operations in Dubai International Financial Centre, marking a major step in the firm’s Middle East expansion strategy.
The licence enables Gordian to deliver a comprehensive suite of institutional fund services from DIFC, including collective investment fund management, financial product advisory, custody arrangement, investment deal arrangement, and asset management services. The firm has also received approval to operate a fund platform under the DFSA framework.
The move expands Gordian’s cross-border fund platform capabilities beyond its strong Asia-Pacific footprint, positioning Dubai as a strategic gateway connecting regional capital with international investment opportunities. Under the new structure, Gordian will provide institutional-grade operational and regulatory infrastructure for investment managers, enabling clients to focus on investment performance while the platform oversees operational and business management functions.
Founded in 2005, Gordian has launched more than 115 funds spanning private and public market strategies and currently manages USD 22 billion in assets. The company serves institutional asset managers, hedge funds, family offices and corporates across sectors including private equity, venture capital, infrastructure and real estate.
The Dubai expansion follows IQ-EQ’s acquisition of Gordian in 2025, strengthening the group’s regulated market entry and fund solutions capabilities across APAC, Europe and now the Middle East. Gordian currently operates across Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Melbourne and Dubai.
Mark Voumard, now Managing Director and Head of Fund Platform and Solutions, Asia and Middle East at IQ-EQ, said the new licence would provide institutional fund managers with a faster and more efficient pathway to establish a regulated presence in DIFC while meeting complex operational and regulatory requirements.
Richard Surrency described the DFSA approval as a significant milestone for the group’s Middle East growth ambitions, highlighting the UAE’s increasing maturity and long-term attractiveness as a global investment destination.
