Adams Street Partners, a leading private markets investment management firm with more than $62 billion in assets under management, has opened its Abu Dhabi office, the firm’s first presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The new office is in ADGM, one of the region’s most dynamic financial districts. Adams Street’s on-the-ground presence will enhance the firm’s long-standing relationships across the GCC and support its growing investors and strategic partners.
The office will be led by Leila Kaissi, who has joined the firm as a Principal, Investor Relations. Kaissi will focus on developing and deepening institutional client and consultant relationships throughout the GCC. She will also work closely with clients in the management of their portfolios and aid in the development and monitoring of their private equity programs.
Adams Street Partners is strengthening its presence in the Gulf with the appointment of Leila Kaissi to lead its investor relations efforts in the region. As Principal and head of the firm’s Abu Dhabi office, Kaissi said she is eager to expand Adams Street’s engagement with investors across the GCC, where demand for exposure to global venture capital, growth equity, buyout, and private credit markets continues to grow.
She noted that the firm brings decades of experience in creating innovative investment opportunities, and underscored her commitment to building on the momentum in the Gulf while deepening Adams Street’s existing relationships with regional investors.
Jeffrey Diehl Managing Partner & Head of Investments Adams Street
“The opening of our Abu Dhabi office is another milestone for Adams Street and a natural progression of our global expansion. Having a local presence marks our commitment to further developing strategic and long- standing partnerships in the region.”
Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM said that, “The decision by leading international firms like Adams Street to establish offices in Abu Dhabi speaks of the tremendous opportunities that the UAE’s capital offers. As the richest city globally, Abu Dhabi is strategically positioned to attract world-class businesses in the asset management sector, and ADGM is proud to support its positioning. We are pleased to welcome Adams Street to ADGM’s vibrant and expanding ecosystem and look forward to seeing their growth strategy unfold in Abu Dhabi and the region.”
Before joining Adams Street, Leila served as Vice President at Gulf Capital, where she managed relationships with a wide range of institutional investors, including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, corporates, and family offices across the GCC and internationally. In addition to strengthening these partnerships, she played a key role in shaping Gulf Capital’s investor relations strategy, overseeing investor due diligence, and managing co-investment opportunities.
