Chimera Investment to launch one of MENA’s biggest investment management firms: Our friends at Abu Dhabi-based Chimera Investment are launching a global investment manager with more than USD 50 bn of assets under management (AUM), according to a press release ( pd f). The private-markets focused firm, dubbed Lunate, is set to begin operations out of its Abu Dhabi HQ in 4Q 2023.

Who’s involved: Lunate will be joint-owned by Chimera and the new firm’s senior management, the release reads, without disclosing the ownership split. Its managing partners include our friend Seif Fikry, the Egyptian veteran of regional financial markets who helms Chimera; Khalifa Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Growth Fund; and Murtaza Hussain, chief investment officer at Abu Dhabi wealth fund ADQ.

Where the money’s coming from: The firm is targeting institutional investors, pension funds, family offices and other investment firms, and has already signed contracts to manage the assets of “multiple” unnamed clients, it said.

Lunate looks set to invest across the board: The firm “will invest globally through a combination of Limited Partner (LP) commitments, co-investments and direct investments across private equity, venture capital, private credit, real assets, public equities, and public credit,” according to the release.

Drawing bankers to Abu Dhabi: Lunate will employ a 150-strong team, including some 80 investment bankers. The firm eventually plans to set up offices in North America, Europe, and Adia.

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