Fortress Investment Group has established a new office in Abu Dhabi and appointed Charles Spetka as Head of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) operations. The move is part of the firm’s strategy to expand its presence in the Gulf region.
Spetka, who has over 20 years of experience in investment management and real estate finance, will oversee the firm’s activities in the region from the newly opened office in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). He previously served as CEO of CW Financial Services, a real estate business acquired by Fortress. He held board positions in several Fortress portfolio companies, including Mammoth Freighters and Aspire MRO.
The Abu Dhabi office will house two dedicated teams focusing on consumer finance and Fortress’s multi-manager investment business. Staffing will include local hires and personnel relocated from Fortress’s offices in London, New York, and Asia. Harry Steel, a managing director at Fortress based in London, will relocate to Abu Dhabi to lead distribution efforts.
Fortress, which manages approximately $49 billion in assets, is majority-owned by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company. The firm maintains operational autonomy, including control over investment processes, decision-making, personnel, and operations.
Establishing the Abu Dhabi office aligns with Fortress’s broader strategy to tap into co-investment opportunities in the Gulf region, particularly in private credit, real estate, and asset-based strategies. The firm also targets Saudi Arabia as a key growth market, focusing on consumer finance and infrastructure investments in line with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 program.
In April 2025, Fortress and Mubadala Investment Company entered into a $1 billion strategic partnership to invest in private credit. This partnership aims to leverage Fortress’s investment expertise and Mubadala’s regional presence to identify and capitalise on investment opportunities in the Middle East.
The opening of the Abu Dhabi office coincides with increased economic diversification in the Gulf region as countries seek to reduce their reliance on oil and gas revenues. Fortress’s expansion into the region reflects the growing demand for alternative investment strategies and the firm’s commitment to supporting the development of the Gulf’s financial markets.
Fortress Investment Group was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in New York City. The firm specialises in investment management across various asset classes, including private equity, credit, real estate, and traditional asset management.
