Peel Hunt goes global with Abu Dhabi push

UK investment bank Peel Hunt has opened a regional office in Abu Dhabi after receiving full authorisation from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The move marks a significant step in the firm’s expansion into international financial centres.

Peel Hunt Middle East was launched earlier this month following regulatory approval from the authority that oversees the international financial centre and free economic zone in the United Arab Emirates capital.

The bank said the new base strengthens its presence in a region that sits at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa, supported by strong regulation and a focus on innovation and sustainability.

Peel Hunt expands to Abu Dhabi

The opening forms a central part of Peel Hunt’s global strategy, which aims to expand its international distribution network and enhance access to the global investors that are increasingly active on the share registers of listed UK companies.

The Abu Dhabi office will sit alongside Peel Hunt’s existing operations in London, New York and Copenhagen and will support efforts to broaden access to capital for its corporate clients.

The new office will be led by Charlie Peat, who will report to London-based Co-Head of Equities, James Hipkiss. Peat has more than 15 years of experience in senior investment banking roles across public and private equity markets. He has advised on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and equity capital markets transactions worth more than £10 billion.

He has also built a broad network across sovereign wealth funds, family offices and regional holding companies, and previously spent more than a decade advising a London-based family office on capital markets strategy. His career has also included founding businesses in sports, heritage real estate and wellness.

Hipkiss said: “This move marks an exciting chapter for Peel Hunt as we continue to grow our presence in new territories. Expanding into Abu Dhabi is an important next step for the business, providing access to a broader base of global investors. The region continues to play a growing role in global capital markets, offering a real opportunity to drive the growth ambitions for our clients and UK equities more broadly.

“Peel Hunt looks forward to contributing to the continued development of Abu Dhabi’s financial infrastructure and helping to support both our corporate and investor clients across the region.”