Moelis & Company Opens Dubai Office; Expands to Middle East
Moelis & Company, the New York-headquartered independent investment bank, today announced the establishment of a new office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Led by Augusto Sasso, Head of MENA Investment Banking, the team will provide financial advisory and capital raising services to clients across the Middle East and North African (MENA) markets. The Dubai office is Moelis & Company’s seventh office globally and follows the recent authorisation for Moelis & Company to conduct regulated activities in the Dubai Financial Centre.
“The Middle East and North Africa is of key strategic importance for Moelis & Company and our clients,” said Ken Moelis, Chief Executive Officer of Moelis & Company. “Opening an office in Dubai clearly demonstrates our continued commitment to the region and allows us to more effectively serve our clients in the region with a local presence. Augusto has been instrumental in developing our MENA coverage capabilities to date, and we are very pleased that he is leading this significant initiative for our firm.”
Mr. Sasso joined Moelis & Company at its inception and previously held senior roles at Credit Suisse First Boston and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. He has advised sovereign, corporate and private equity clients on a broad range of advisory assignments, including M&A transactions, equity and debt financings, joint venture agreements and restructurings across a number of industries. Mr. Sasso will report to Mark Aedy, Head of EMEA Investment Banking.
The team also comprises several senior Moelis & Company bankers who have relocated to the UAE, including Managing Director Charles Noel-Johnson. Mr. Noel-Johnson has been with Moelis & Company since July 2009, prior to which he was at Close Brothers Corporate Finance and J.P. Morgan. He has extensive experience on restructuring, refinancing and M&A transactions across the Middle East and Europe advising sovereigns, private equity firms, corporates and creditors.
“We expect MENA to experience a high rate of economic growth, increasing financial markets activity and significant cross-border capital flows for a sustained period of time,” said Mr. Aedy. “We are looking forward to working with clients in the region on financial transactions and strategic initiatives that add long-term value.”
“Moelis & Company is already active in MENA, providing independent financial advisory services to governments and corporates, and our new Dubai office gives us the opportunity to further extend our capabilities across the region,” added Mr. Sasso. “Bringing together significant experience across advisory and capital markets, the team here offers clients deep and unparalleled expertise. We are delighted to put this expertise to work to build lasting relationships with clients in the Middle East.”
About Moelis & Company
Moelis & Company, recently named Best Global Independent Investment Bank by Euromoney, is a global investment bank that provides financial advisory, capital raising and asset management services to a broad client base including corporations, institutions and governments. With over 460 employees, Moelis & Company serves its clients through offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dubai, London, Los Angeles and Sydney. Moelis & Company is currently serving as financial advisor to the Government of Dubai with regards to the restructuring of Dubai World. For more information, please visit www.moelis.com.