Leon Black Selects Abu Dhabi as first international outpost for his Family Office 

Leon Black, the esteemed founder of Apollo Global Management and a leading figure in private equity with a net worth in excess of $14 billion, has established a new branch of his family office, Elysium Management, at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This strategic move underscores Black’s deep ties with the region, cultivated over 30 years through his leadership at Apollo, a global alternative asset manager with nearly $700bn under management currently and reflects his growing commitment to making a deeper push within the region.

The new office, Scimitar, will serve as Elysium's first international office. Scimitar has brought on a team of seasoned professionals, including Abu Dhabi-based financier Asad Hussaini. Hussaini, alongside Black’s son Ben, will build out the credit platform Fortinbras.

Black, known not only for his financial acumen but also for his passion as a philanthropist and prolific art collector, highlighted the significance of his long-standing relationship with Abu Dhabi. “I’ve long admired and respected the people of Abu Dhabi who are at the core of driving the development of UAE and the entire Gulf Region,” Black said in a statement. “I’ve been coming here for more than 30 years and the growth and prosperity that has occurred under Abu Dhabi’s visionary leadership is truly remarkable. My family office wants to be a part of that transformation and, more importantly, be an active member of this community. Having an office with local executives leading it is critical to our strategy and demonstrates our commitment.”

ADGM, the International Financial Centre of the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi, welcomed this move. 'We are delighted to welcome Mr. Leon Black and Elysium Management to ADGM. Mr. Black brings with him a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to excellence, further contributing to our thriving ecosystem. This move not only reflects the deep ties between Mr. Black and the region but also underscores the importance of ADGM as a strategic base for leading global family offices. The establishment of the first international office for Elysium highlights Abu Dhabi as the destination of choice for global entities to grow their businesses and expand within the MEASA region and beyond.'

Elysium Management’s expansion into the ADGM, coupled with its seasoned team and strategic leadership, signals a new chapter in the firm’s global ambitions, positioning it at the heart of one of the world’s most influential financial centres.