Hassan Awada

@blackstone and Legal & General agree to $20 billion private credit partnership. Blackstone and Legal & General (L&G) have agreed to form a private credit partnership that is expected to grow to $20 billion over the next five years. New York-based Blackstone, which manages over $1 trillion in assets, will source investment-grade private credit opportunities for L&G’s annuities business. London-based L&G, which oversees approximately $1.5 trillion in assets, has been expanding into private markets and plans to develop public-private hybrid credit products through the partnership. The hybrid credit products will be offered to L&G’s wealth and wholesale clients, providing them access to more liquid products with potentially higher returns. The partnership could generate between $200m and $400m in revenue, based on an assumed management fee of 1% to 2%, excluding any potential performance fees. This partnership demonstrates the growing willingness of pension and insurance groups to increase their exposure to the fast-growing private credit asset class. The $20 billion target reflects the strong and sustained institutional appetite for private credit, as the asset class continues to offer attractive risk-adjusted returns. #markets #finance #investing #fundraising #banking

Consortium including @Mubadala to acquire Techem Energy Services GmbH for $7.9 billion in Germany’s largest M&A deal of 2025. The consortium consists of Mubadala, one of Abu Dhabi’s leading sovereign wealth funds, GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, along with global investment firms Partners Group and TPG. Techem is a leading international provider of digital solutions for the energy and real estate sectors. Its technologies are designed to enhance energy efficiency, reduce consumption and costs, and lower CO2 emissions. This transaction illustrates the growing investor appetite for sustainable infrastructure and smart energy solutions. The acquisition aligns with the global transition toward decarbonisation, particularly in the built environment, which is responsible for a substantial portion of global emissions. It also signals an acceleration in cross-border capital flows from the Gulf and Asia into Europe's energy transition and digital infrastructure space. The size of deal highlights that mega-deals are not a hurdle when the long-term economics and strategic value are aligned. #realestate #investing #privateequity #finance #investmentbanking

Consortium including @Mubadala to acquire Techem Energy Services GmbH for $7.9 billion in Germany’s largest M&A deal of 2025. The consortium consists of Mubadala, one of Abu Dhabi’s leading sovereign wealth funds, GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, along with global investment firms Partners Group and TPG. Techem is a leading international provider of digital solutions for the energy and real estate sectors. Its technologies are designed to enhance energy efficiency, reduce consumption and costs, and lower CO2 emissions. This transaction illustrates the growing investor appetite for sustainable infrastructure and smart energy solutions. The acquisition aligns with the global transition toward decarbonisation, particularly in the built environment, which is responsible for a substantial portion of global emissions. It also signals an acceleration in cross-border capital flows from the Gulf and Asia into Europe's energy transition and digital infrastructure space. The size of deal highlights that mega-deals are not a hurdle when the long-term economics and strategic value are aligned. #realestate #investing #privateequity #finance #investmentbanking

Honoured to be ranked #11 on @Favikon_ list of Top LinkedIn Voices in the UAE! What started as a hobby nearly three years ago, sharing insights and stories from across the Middle East on LinkedIn, has grown into something far more rewarding. I’ve truly enjoyed contributing to conversations around business, investment, and innovation in the region. But I never expected the level of engagement, connection, and support this platform has brought. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s followed, liked, commented, or reached out, your support has made this journey incredibly rewarding. #uae #leadership #investing #investmentbanking #privateequity

@DIFC records best ever half year performance. A total of 1,081 new companies joined DIFC in H1 2025, bringing the total number of active registered firms to an impressive 7,700, a 32% year-on-year increase. These include a growing number of asset managers, hedge funds, family offices, fintech companies, and AI firms. Some of the world’s largest investment and financial institutions established a presence in DIFC this year, including PIMCO, Silver Point Capital, Baron Capital, Bluecrest Capital, Bridge Investment Group, Cambridge Associates, China International Capital Corporation, and the National Bank of Kuwait. This surge is underpinned by the UAE’s national drive to attract global firms through competitive reforms and initiatives, such as robust regulatory frameworks, 100% foreign ownership, flexible legal structures, low tax rates, and long-term golden visas. In parallel, the UAE became the world’s top destination for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in 2024, attracting 6,700 millionaires, a number projected to reach 10,000 in 2025, according to Henley & Partners. This record-breaking performance reflects the UAE’s growing status as a global hub for finance, innovation, and investment, drawing in capital, talent, and corporates from around the world. #dubai #uae #investing #finance #investmentbanking

@DIFC records best ever half year performance. A total of 1,081 new companies joined DIFC in H1 2025, bringing the total number of active registered firms to an impressive 7,700, a 32% year-on-year increase. These include a growing number of asset managers, hedge funds, family offices, fintech companies, and AI firms. Some of the world’s largest investment and financial institutions established a presence in DIFC this year, including PIMCO, Silver Point Capital, Baron Capital, Bluecrest Capital, Bridge Investment Group, Cambridge Associates, China International Capital Corporation, and the National Bank of Kuwait. This surge is underpinned by the UAE’s national drive to attract global firms through competitive reforms and initiatives, such as robust regulatory frameworks, 100% foreign ownership, flexible legal structures, low tax rates, and long-term golden visas. In parallel, the UAE became the world’s top destination for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in 2024, attracting 6,700 millionaires, a number projected to reach 10,000 in 2025, according to Henley & Partners. This record-breaking performance reflects the UAE’s growing status as a global hub for finance, innovation, and investment, drawing in capital, talent, and corporates from around the world. #dubai #uae #investing #finance #investmentbanking

KKR Raises $6.5 Billion for Asset-Based Credit Strategy. The remarkable raise includes for its asset-based finance (ABF) strategy, includes $5.6 billion for its ABFP II fund and nearly $1 billion through separately managed accounts following the same strategy. The capital was secured from a diverse base of global investors, including public and corporate pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, private banks, insurance firms, asset managers, and family offices. The ABF strategy provides flexible financing solutions across the capital structure, with a focus on consumer and mortgage finance, commercial finance, hard assets, and contractual cash flows across multiple sectors. This latest raise is more than 2.5 times the size of its predecessor, underscoring both the strong performance of the strategy and the deep confidence KKR has built with its limited partners. Launched less than a decade ago, KKR’s ABF platform has grown to manage $74 billion in assets under management, an impressive milestone in a short span. Today, KKR is one of the world’s leading private credit managers, overseeing more than $254 billion in credit assets globally. #investing #finance #markets #banking #investmentbanking

Who are the world’s most valuable private companies in 2025? According to Visual Capitalist, SpaceX leads with an impressive $350B valuation, followed by ByteDance and OpenAI at $300B each, Stripe at $70B, and SHEIN at $66B. The U.S. dominates with 31 of the top 50 companies, reflecting its innovative ecosystem and access to venture capital. China follows with 10 companies, and the UK has three. Technology tops the sectors with 14 companies valued at $620B, fuelled by the AI boom driving valuations for firms like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI. Financial Services follows with 8 companies at $206B (such as Stripe and Revolut), and Consumer & Retail also has 8 companies at $177B (such as SHEIN and Fanatics). While this list highlights the largest private companies globally, it also illustrates how these organisations shape and drive transformative changes across industries and markets worldwide. Their decisions, innovations, and growth not only impact their own sectors but also create ripple effects across other industries, supply chains, investment trends, and public markets. Their valuations, innovation, and expansion offer critical insights for investors and corporates shaping strategies in M&A, private equity, and public markets. #privateequity #venturecapital #innovation #business #investmentbanking

Who are the world’s most valuable private companies in 2025? According to Visual Capitalist, SpaceX leads with an impressive $350B valuation, followed by ByteDance and OpenAI at $300B each, Stripe at $70B, and SHEIN at $66B. The U.S. dominates with 31 of the top 50 companies, reflecting its innovative ecosystem and access to venture capital. China follows with 10 companies, and the UK has three. Technology tops the sectors with 14 companies valued at $620B, fuelled by the AI boom driving valuations for firms like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI. Financial Services follows with 8 companies at $206B (such as Stripe and Revolut), and Consumer & Retail also has 8 companies at $177B (such as SHEIN and Fanatics). While this list highlights the largest private companies globally, it also illustrates how these organisations shape and drive transformative changes across industries and markets worldwide. Their decisions, innovations, and growth not only impact their own sectors but also create ripple effects across other industries, supply chains, investment trends, and public markets. Their valuations, innovation, and expansion offer critical insights for investors and corporates shaping strategies in M&A, private equity, and public markets. #privateequity #venturecapital #innovation #business #investmentbanking

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) AUM Surges by $147 Billion in 2024. According to its latest annual report, PIF, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds globally, grew its assets under management by 19% YoY to approximately $913 billion in 2024. The SWF’s revenue jumped 25% to a record $110 billion. Local investments rose from 76% to 80% of AUM, illustrating PIF’s continued commitment to developing and diversifying the Kingdom’s economy. In 2024, PIF deployed $57 billion across priority sectors, bringing total investments since 2021 to more than $171 billion. It also launched 16 new companies, including Alat, Neo Space Group, the National Interactive Entertainment Company, and Adeera. On the financing front, PIF tapped debt markets extensively, securing $9.8 billion in debt, $15 billion in credit facilities, and a $7 billion Murabaha facility. Internationally, it acquired stakes and forged strategic partnerships with global players such as BlackRock, Google Cloud, and Bpifrance, and took equity positions in Selfridges Group and Heathrow Airport. PIF’s strong performance reflects its strategy of driving economic transformation within Saudi Arabia while building global strategic partnerships, localising knowledge and technology, and increasing its AUM. #saudi #privateequity #investing #finance #investmentbanking

@BlackRock and aramco Sign @Landmark $11 Billion Midstream Deal. Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a firm recently acquired by BlackRock, led a consortium of international investors, which included prominent institutional investors from Asia and the Middle East, to invest in Aramco's Jafurah midstream assets. This strategic transaction, one of the region’s largest lease and leaseback deals, stands out for its impressive scale and innovative structure. The deal is structured through a new entity, JMGC, which will acquire the development and usage rights for the assets through a 20-year lease agreement, and lease them back to Aramco. In return, JMGC will receive a fee from Aramco for the right to process, treat, and receive gas from the Jafurah field. Upon completion, Aramco is set to receive $11 billion in proceeds. This transaction values JMGC at a striking $22 billion, with Aramco retaining a 51% stake and the remaining 49% held by the GIP-led consortium. This landmark transaction is a clear sign of Saudi Arabia's growing appeal to global private capital. It highlights the Kingdom's ability to attract top-tier institutional investors seeking exposure to assets that offer strong, risk-adjusted returns. The involvement of a global giant like BlackRock, via GIP, indicates a deepening of financial ties between the world’s largest asset managers and key players in the Middle East's energy sector, and illustrates the maturity and increasing appeal of the GCC’s private markets. #saudi #privateequity #investing #realestate #investmentbanking

@BlackRock and aramco Sign @Landmark $11 Billion Midstream Deal. Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a firm recently acquired by BlackRock, led a consortium of international investors, which included prominent institutional investors from Asia and the Middle East, to invest in Aramco's Jafurah midstream assets. This strategic transaction, one of the region’s largest lease and leaseback deals, stands out for its impressive scale and innovative structure. The deal is structured through a new entity, JMGC, which will acquire the development and usage rights for the assets through a 20-year lease agreement, and lease them back to Aramco. In return, JMGC will receive a fee from Aramco for the right to process, treat, and receive gas from the Jafurah field. Upon completion, Aramco is set to receive $11 billion in proceeds. This transaction values JMGC at a striking $22 billion, with Aramco retaining a 51% stake and the remaining 49% held by the GIP-led consortium. This landmark transaction is a clear sign of Saudi Arabia's growing appeal to global private capital. It highlights the Kingdom's ability to attract top-tier institutional investors seeking exposure to assets that offer strong, risk-adjusted returns. The involvement of a global giant like BlackRock, via GIP, indicates a deepening of financial ties between the world’s largest asset managers and key players in the Middle East's energy sector, and illustrates the maturity and increasing appeal of the GCC’s private markets. #saudi #privateequity #investing #realestate #investmentbanking

Goldman Sachs Offers Rare Investment Access To Millennium. Goldman Sachs is offering investors the chance to acquire a stake in one of the world’s largest hedge funds, Millennium, with ticket sizes ranging from $1m to $20m, according to Bloomberg. The deal is structured through an SPV, which will hold the shares in Millennium and, in return, charge investors a 1% management fee and 10% carry. This structure is commonly used in private investment deals where direct access to the target company is limited and demand is high. However, investment firms that acquire stakes directly in the hedge fund would not incur additional fees, as there are no extra layers or SPVs involved. While such structures are frequently seen in early-stage investment deals, they are less common in later-stage investments involving well-established firms. Typically, access to opportunities of this scale is limited to large institutional investors. High-net-worth individuals usually gain exposure through investment managers and fund structures that often charge significantly higher fees than those outlined here. It will be interesting to see whether deals of this nature become more widespread, potentially putting pressure on traditional investment managers. #markets #finance #investing #privateequity #banking

Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) Consortium Completes $1.1 Billion Funding For Solar Project. ​ The Masdar-led consortium, which includes GD Power and Korea Electric Power Corporation, has reached financial close for the Al Sadawi solar project, a landmark initiative in the Kingdom’s clean energy drive. The secured bank financing will cover a significant portion of the project’s total cost, estimated at around $1.1 billion. The 2-gigawatt development has been financed through a syndicate of eight leading regional and international lenders, which include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Standard Chartered, Korea Eximbank, BNP Paribas, Bank of China, HSBC, and Societe Generale. ​ Set to be one of the largest solar projects globally, Al Sadawi stands out for its unprecedented scale, robust lender participation, and innovative financing structure. The project will be developed under a Build, Own, Operate (BOO) model, supported by a 25-year power purchase agreement that ensures a stable, long-term revenue stream. This milestone highlights Masdar’s and the Kingdom’s ability to structure, launch, and deliver complex mega-projects while attracting strong interest from international lenders. The deal follows the Kingdom’s recently signed agreements totalling $8.3 billion to develop 15 GW of renewable energy projects, further demonstrating its accelerating momentum in securing investment for the clean energy transition. #saudi #finance #investing #realestate #investmentbanking

Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) Consortium Completes $1.1 Billion Funding For Solar Project. ​ The Masdar-led consortium, which includes GD Power and Korea Electric Power Corporation, has reached financial close for the Al Sadawi solar project, a landmark initiative in the Kingdom’s clean energy drive. The secured bank financing will cover a significant portion of the project’s total cost, estimated at around $1.1 billion. The 2-gigawatt development has been financed through a syndicate of eight leading regional and international lenders, which include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Standard Chartered, Korea Eximbank, BNP Paribas, Bank of China, HSBC, and Societe Generale. ​ Set to be one of the largest solar projects globally, Al Sadawi stands out for its unprecedented scale, robust lender participation, and innovative financing structure. The project will be developed under a Build, Own, Operate (BOO) model, supported by a 25-year power purchase agreement that ensures a stable, long-term revenue stream. This milestone highlights Masdar’s and the Kingdom’s ability to structure, launch, and deliver complex mega-projects while attracting strong interest from international lenders. The deal follows the Kingdom’s recently signed agreements totalling $8.3 billion to develop 15 GW of renewable energy projects, further demonstrating its accelerating momentum in securing investment for the clean energy transition. #saudi #finance #investing #realestate #investmentbanking

@propertyfinder secures $525m strategic investment from @Permira and @blackstone . Property Finder, one of the region’s leading online property platforms, was founded in Dubai in 2007. In addition to the UAE, it also operates in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain. As part of the transaction, General Atlantic, a cornerstone investor in Property Finder since 2018, has sold part of its stake but will remain a significant minority shareholder. Permira and Blackstone, two of the world’s leading alternative asset managers, will together hold a meaningful minority stake in the company. The participation of three global investors reflects strong confidence in Dubai’s real estate market and its growth potential. It also reinforces the region’s status as a growing global investment hub and signals to investment managers an increasing market depth, enhanced liquidity, and a broader range of investment opportunities across the region. #privateequity #realestate #investing #markets #investmentbanking

Lunate and Brevan Howard Launch $2 Billion Investment Platform. Lunate has committed $2 billion to a new investment platform in partnership with Brevan Howard that will feature a suite of funds exclusive to the partnership. The platform will combine the expertise of Brevan Howard, a $34 billion hedge fund manager, and Lunate, a $110 billion Abu Dhabi-based alternative investment firm, to create a world-class offering. Based in ADGM, the platform is expected to raise additional capital over time from both local and international investors, leveraging the firms’ global networks and brand strength. As part of the agreement, Lunate will also acquire a minority stake in Brevan Howard, expanding its range of products and investment solutions. Brevan Howard’s growth in the region has been remarkable. Since establishing its regional headquarters in ADGM in early 2023, the office has become the firm’s largest globally by assets under management. Brevan Howard’s unprecedented success in the region, together with its new partnership with Lunate, highlights the UAE’s position as one of the most attractive destinations for global asset managers seeking a platform for sustainable growth. #abudhabi #uae #banking #investments #investmentbanking

Lunate and Brevan Howard Launch $2 Billion Investment Platform. Lunate has committed $2 billion to a new investment platform in partnership with Brevan Howard that will feature a suite of funds exclusive to the partnership. The platform will combine the expertise of Brevan Howard, a $34 billion hedge fund manager, and Lunate, a $110 billion Abu Dhabi-based alternative investment firm, to create a world-class offering. Based in ADGM, the platform is expected to raise additional capital over time from both local and international investors, leveraging the firms’ global networks and brand strength. As part of the agreement, Lunate will also acquire a minority stake in Brevan Howard, expanding its range of products and investment solutions. Brevan Howard’s growth in the region has been remarkable. Since establishing its regional headquarters in ADGM in early 2023, the office has become the firm’s largest globally by assets under management. Brevan Howard’s unprecedented success in the region, together with its new partnership with Lunate, highlights the UAE’s position as one of the most attractive destinations for global asset managers seeking a platform for sustainable growth. #abudhabi #uae #banking #investments #investmentbanking

Goldman Sachs Offers Rare Investment Access To Millennium. Goldman Sachs is offering investors the chance to acquire a stake in one of the world’s largest hedge funds, Millennium, with ticket sizes ranging from $1m to $20m, according to Bloomberg. The deal is structured through an SPV, which will hold the shares in Millennium and, in return, charge investors a 1% management fee and 10% carry. This structure is commonly used in private investment deals where direct access to the target company is limited and demand is high. However, investment firms that acquire stakes directly in the hedge fund would not incur additional fees, as there are no extra layers or SPVs involved. While such structures are frequently seen in early-stage investment deals, they are less common in later-stage investments involving well-established firms. Typically, access to opportunities of this scale is limited to large institutional investors. High-net-worth individuals usually gain exposure through investment managers and fund structures that often charge significantly higher fees than those outlined here. It will be interesting to see whether deals of this nature become more widespread, potentially putting pressure on traditional investment managers. #markets #finance #investing #privateequity #banking

Lunate and Brevan Howard Launch $2 Billion Investment Platform. Lunate has committed $2 billion to a new investment platform in partnership with Brevan Howard that will feature a suite of funds exclusive to the partnership. The platform will combine the expertise of Brevan Howard, a $34 billion hedge fund manager, and Lunate, a $110 billion Abu Dhabi-based alternative investment firm, to create a world-class offering. Based in ADGM, the platform is expected to raise additional capital over time from both local and international investors, leveraging the firms’ global networks and brand strength. As part of the agreement, Lunate will also acquire a minority stake in Brevan Howard, expanding its range of products and investment solutions. Brevan Howard’s growth in the region has been remarkable. Since establishing its regional headquarters in ADGM in early 2023, the office has become the firm’s largest globally by assets under management. Brevan Howard’s unprecedented success in the region, together with its new partnership with Lunate, highlights the UAE’s position as one of the most attractive destinations for global asset managers seeking a platform for sustainable growth. #abudhabi #uae #banking #investment #investmentbanking