Key Takeaways
- • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based alternative investment manager with $110 billion in assets under management, is acquiring a minority stake in Brevan Howard, one of the world's leading hedge fund managers with $34 billion in AUM.
- • The partnership establishes a new Abu Dhabi-based investment platform with an initial $2 billion capital commitment from Lunate, with additional capital to be raised from local and international investors over time.
- • The deal marks Lunate's strategic expansion into hedge funds, diversifying its product offerings beyond traditional alternatives like private equity and infrastructure into macro and digital asset strategies.
- • Brevan Howard, founded in 2002 and led by CEO Aron Landy, has delivered an annualized rate of return of 8.1% since 2003 and serves sovereign wealth funds, corporate pension plans, and public pension funds globally.
- • The partnership reflects Abu Dhabi's broader strategy to position itself as a global hub for alternative asset management, building on its existing sovereign wealth presence and attracting top-tier international investment managers.
Summary
Abu Dhabi's Lunate has acquired a minority ownership stake in Brevan Howard Asset Management, establishing a long-term strategic partnership that underscores the UAE capital's growing influence in global alternative asset management. The deal, announced in August 2025, encompasses the creation of a new investment platform to be domiciled in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) with an initial $2 billion commitment from Lunate, alongside a minority equity stake in Brevan Howard itself. The parties did not disclose the specific valuation or percentage ownership, though sources indicated negotiations spanned six months to a year.
Lunate, which manages $110 billion in assets, is steered by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's national security adviser and brother of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The firm has pursued a strategy of partnerships with global asset managers since its launch approximately two years prior to the announcement, including co-management arrangements with Brookfield and Blue Owl. This investment marks a significant departure from Lunate's historical focus on private equity and infrastructure, expanding the firm's footprint into hedge fund management and quantitative strategies.
Brevan Howard, established in 2002 by founder Alan Howard and a group of former Credit Suisse traders, manages approximately $34 billion in assets and serves a client base that includes sovereign wealth funds, corporate pension plans, and public pension plans. Under CEO Aron Landy's leadership, the firm has achieved an annualized rate of return of 8.1% since inception in 2003. The new Abu Dhabi platform will offer funds leveraging Brevan Howard's existing capabilities, including macro and digital asset strategies, with capital expected to be raised from additional investors internationally and within the Gulf Cooperation Council region.
The partnership reflects Abu Dhabi's strategic positioning as a destination for alternative investment management. The emirate has benefited from an influx of high-net-worth individuals and houses some of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, creating institutional demand for sophisticated investment solutions. Brevan Howard's establishment of its largest regional office in ADGM in early 2023 preceded this formal partnership, signaling the firm's commitment to the market. The deal exemplifies a broader trend of Abu Dhabi attracting top-tier global asset managers seeking access to regional capital and institutional relationships.
Lunate, which manages $110 billion in assets, is steered by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's national security adviser and brother of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The firm has pursued a strategy of partnerships with global asset managers since its launch approximately two years prior to the announcement, including co-management arrangements with Brookfield and Blue Owl. This investment marks a significant departure from Lunate's historical focus on private equity and infrastructure, expanding the firm's footprint into hedge fund management and quantitative strategies.
Brevan Howard, established in 2002 by founder Alan Howard and a group of former Credit Suisse traders, manages approximately $34 billion in assets and serves a client base that includes sovereign wealth funds, corporate pension plans, and public pension plans. Under CEO Aron Landy's leadership, the firm has achieved an annualized rate of return of 8.1% since inception in 2003. The new Abu Dhabi platform will offer funds leveraging Brevan Howard's existing capabilities, including macro and digital asset strategies, with capital expected to be raised from additional investors internationally and within the Gulf Cooperation Council region.
The partnership reflects Abu Dhabi's strategic positioning as a destination for alternative investment management. The emirate has benefited from an influx of high-net-worth individuals and houses some of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, creating institutional demand for sophisticated investment solutions. Brevan Howard's establishment of its largest regional office in ADGM in early 2023 preceded this formal partnership, signaling the firm's commitment to the market. The deal exemplifies a broader trend of Abu Dhabi attracting top-tier global asset managers seeking access to regional capital and institutional relationships.
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