Type Sovereign wealth fund Founded 2007 | Industry Institutional investor Number of employees 199 (2011) | |
Headquarters Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Key people HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman
HE Eissa Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director | ||
The Abu Dhabi Investment Council (The Council) is an investment arm of the Government of Abu Dhabi. It started operations in April 2007 and is responsible for investing part of the government’s surplus financial resources through a globally diversified investment strategy, targeting positive capital returns through an expansive portfolio of highly diversified asset classes and active investment management strategies.
Contents
History
The Abu Dhabi Investment Council was splintered off from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) in 2007 and took over all local subsidiaries previously owned by ADIA including Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Investment Company (Invest AD). From Autumn 2013 the Council will be based at Al Bahr Towers.
Investment strategy
The investment strategy of the Council seeks to achieve superior risk-adjusted returns across the entire capital structure while preserving capital. Although the Council invests globally, there is a strong focus of investing in Abu Dhabi's economy. Some of its significant investments include:
Notably in 2008, the Council acquired 90% ownership of New York's landmark Chrysler Building.
Office of the Managing Director
The Managing Director is the highest-ranking officer within the Council. He reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the operations of the Council.
Active Investment Strategies
The Active Investment Strategies Department aims to generate superior risk adjusted returns by investing in hedge funds and similar active trading mandates across different strategies, globally. The department co-invests in individual transactions by partnering with Hedge Funds and takes GP stakes in Hedge Funds and/or Seed Hedge Funds. Some of the global mainstream strategies include:
Direct Investments
The Direct Investments Department invests directly in listed and unlisted companies across the globe, with a particular emphasis on the MENA Region. It is focused on creating a concentrated portfolio of highly uncorrelated securities reflecting the broad nature of investment opportunities the Council is exposed to. In this respect, investments are considered for their intrinsic characteristics rather than within a portfolio context. In addition, it is also responsible for monitoring and optimizing the value of the Council's legacy portfolio consisting of 12 investments in local financial institutions and other prominent companies.
Equities and Fixed Income
The Equities and Fixed Income Department manages listed portfolios concentrated in the following areas:
Global Special Situations
The Special Situations Unit invests in one-off opportunities that may not fit in any of the Council’s asset classifications yet generate a higher return than other asset classes. These investments are placed both directly and through managed funds.
Infrastructure Investments
The Infrastructure Investments Department is responsible for building a portfolio of global infrastructure investments as well as contributing to the growth of the local economy through participation in local developments. Its investments target large-scale public systems that are vital to countries’ economies including transportation, communication, utilities & power and social infrastructures (i.e. schools and hospitals). Exposure to these investments is gained mainly through externally managed funds, but also includes the possibility of co-investments in suitable infrastructure projects.
Real Estate
The Real Estate Department invests in global markets through externally managed funds as well as targeted direct investments by building relationships with managers, deploying stringent selection criteria, and executing a broad diversification strategy with respect to geography, size, timing and investment philosophy.
Private Equity
The Private Equity Department places funds in global private equity markets and invests directly primarily alongside its managers.
Support Functions
Various functions support the investment and non-investment activities of the Council. They include:
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the highest authority within the Council and is composed of a Chairman, Managing Director and other board members, all of whom are senior government officials appointed by Decree from the Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Chairman of the Board:
HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Members of the Board:
HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
HH Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
HE Mohammed Bin Habroush Al Suwaidi
HE Eissa Mohamed Al Suwaidi (Managing Director)
HE Younis Haji Khoori