Billionaire investors Christopher Hohn and Christian Angermayer set up ADGM base

TCI Fund Management, controlled by billionaire hedge fund manager Sir Christopher Hohn, and the family office of technology entrepreneur Christian Angermayer have set up offices in Abu Dhabi Global Market in push to expand their businesses in the Middle East.

Presence in Abu Dhabi will allow TCI, a $60 billion investment company, to build key relationships across the region in continuing efforts to catalyse climate action within the private finance sector, the company said on Thursday.

“The Middle East is a vital market for the investment management industry, both from a talent and asset growth perspective, as well as a critical partner in global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and climate change,” Sir Hohn said.

Bronwyn Owen, global head of investor relations has relocated from New York to Abu Dhabi to run the company operation from its base in ADGM.

TCI manages assets for institutional investors from around the world including sovereign wealth funds, corporate and public pension plans, foundations, endowments and for some of the world’s biggest family offices.

Apeiron Investment Group, the private investment firm of serial entrepreneur Mr Angermayer, has also set up its regional headquarters at ADGM, one of the fastest growing international financial hubs in the Middle East.

The company’s Middle East and North Africa operations will be run by its new regional director Salvatore Lavallo, who joins the investment firm from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, where he served as the head of FDI Attraction, the company said.

Apeiron’s aims to have a “significant long term economic impact” in the UAE and will help in relocating and expanding the presence of more than 130 portfolio companies in Abu Dhabi and the broader UAE.

“The companies will be selected based on their alignment with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030,” it said.

The company will also help in catalysing the UAE’s start-up ecosystem, as it continues to focus on venture building including the launch of new start-ups that are aligned with the Abu Dhabi economic goals.

Apeiron is already an active investor in the UAE. Its US venture capital fund, Presight Capital invested in seed investment round of corporate spend management platform, Alaan.

The company is also an investor in Abu Dhabi based applied Artificial Intelligence company, known as AAICO.