Forbes Middle East has published its Top 40 Asset Managers list for 2025, highlighting the region’s leading figures in investment management. Collectively, these managers oversaw assets exceeding $439 billion in 2024, encompassing equities, debt funds, discretionary portfolios, real estate, REITs, and private equity.
The ranking considered assets under management (AUM), AUM growth from 2023 to 2024, leadership experience, tenure, and notable achievements, with a preference for independent firms over bank-backed ones.
Saudi Arabia led the list with 19 entries, reflecting the strength of its stock exchange. The UAE and Kuwait each had six representatives.
Top 10 asset managers:
- Rashed Sharif, CEO of SNB Capital (Saudi Arabia)
- AUM: $63.73 billion in 2024
- Managed a $12.35 billion secondary offering for Saudi Aramco, one of the largest in the EMEA region since 2000.
- Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman of Investcorp (Bahrain)
- AUM: $53 billion in 2024
- In April 2024, the $1 billion Investcorp Golden Horizon platform was launched in partnership with the China Investment Corporation to invest in high-growth companies across the GCC and China.
- Waleed AlRashed AlHumaid, CEO of Al Rajhi Capital (Saudi Arabia)
- AUM: $32.86 billion in 2024
- Advanced from sixth place in the previous year.
- Tariq Al-Sudairy, Managing Director & CEO of Jadwa Investment (Saudi Arabia)
- Recognised for significant contributions to the asset management sector.
- Abdullah Abdulrahman Alshwer, CEO of Riyad Capital (Saudi Arabia)
- Noted for leadership in managing substantial assets.
- Mazin Baghdadi, CEO & Managing Director of alinma capital (Saudi Arabia)
- In May 2024, collaborated with Mohammed Al Nahdi Real Estate to introduce a $365.3 million fund to develop over 1.6 million square meters in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
- Hisham Alrayes, Group CEO of GFH Financial Group (Bahrain)
- Played a pivotal role in the firm’s growth and diversification strategies.
- Faisal Al-Hamad, CEO of NBK Wealth (Kuwait)
- AUM: $22 billion in 2024
- The only newcomer to the top 10, reflecting significant growth and strategic initiatives.
- Faisal Mansour Sarkhou, CEO of Kamco Invest (Kuwait)
- Managed nine bond and sukuk issuances worth $4.2 billion in 2024.
- Karim Awad, Group CEO & Chairman of the Executive Committee at EFG Holding (Egypt)
- Recognised for leadership in expanding the firm’s regional presence.
