New World Group: London based investment firm mapping out its expansion into the GCC

A London-based investment firm, New World Group (NWG), with assets of over USD 2.5 Billion is mapping out its expansion into the GCC and wider region by establishing a strategic hub to complement its offices in London and Kuala Lumpur.

According to NWG CEO and Co-Founder Adam Sadiq, he said: “The digital revolution and rapid growth in the Middle East and surrounding markets support our plans to enter the region. By harnessing our deep networks of expertise, NWG can support clients in these markets to maximize investment and growth opportunities for the long-term.”

He added: “we assess a number of key macro factors including economic growth, public policy, governance, regulation, and political stability.  We then align our interests on a principal-to-principal level, whilst taking a forensic approach to assessing and underwriting investment opportunities. We are excited about the prospect of strengthening our presence in the Gulf and working with new partners throughout the region.” Under the NWG umbrella, its three business verticals act as enablers for the group’s thematic investment initiatives and amplify value creation for the firm and its partners.

Recall that New World Asset Management (NWAM) is an NWG platform that invests in emerging asset managers. NWAM launched its investment programme in late 2019 with an inaugural investment in The Valesco Group, a UK and European Real Estate Asset Manager which made headlines for its EUR 1.2 billion acquisition of the Brussels Finance Tower, home to the Belgian Ministry of Finance.

NWG’s Mozaic platform undertakes investments in technology companies with bold visions such as algbra, a global digital bank for the unbanked and underserved – focusing on financial inclusion for a 1.3 Billion target market. The algbra business was recently backed by a group of leading investors including a British Government investment fund.

NWG also houses a Venture investing arm, New World Ventures (NWV), which invests in disruptive companies, taking a sector-agnostic approach with a focus on uncorrelated and idiosyncratic transactions.

Lastly, all NWG businesses are advised by its in-house Merchant Banking division New World Capital Advisors (NWCA) which advises its portfolio companies across strategy, operations, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships. NWCA is a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) initiative which reflects NWG’s commitment to a robust ESG framework within its operating structure and investment thesis.

NWG has a strong presence across the UK & European markets, the Middle East, and Asia – where it sees significant potential for attractive risk-return profiles for yield-hungry capital amid today’s low-interest-rate environment. NWG is using the partnership model to augment its capabilities across these markets. Last month, NWG’s merchant banking division NWCA announced a partnership with Berjaya Corporation Berhad (BCorp) to establish a presence in Malaysia with an office in Kuala Lumpur.

NWCA Malaysia is headed by Lena Tan, a veteran deal maker and investor with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry across Europe and Asia. Most recently, Lena Tan was the Chairman of 7-Eleven Malaysia and Singer Malaysia. She is currently a Director at 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings, Razer Fintech Holdings, Berjaya Fintech, Berjaya Retail, and Berjaya Credit.

The company will focus on providing advisory services on mergers and acquisitions, strategy, and operations to diversified businesses, corporations, and institutional investors in Malaysia and neighboring countries where NWG has principal interests.

NWG aspires to be the leading investment platform enabling smart and efficient capital allocation into sectors and industries between the developed and emerging markets around the world. The firm seeks to expand into new markets with aligned interests at a principal level and in a sustainable and responsible manner. This is to ensure all-around value creation for the firm, its partners, and the ecosystem of communities within which it conducts business.

About New World Group (NWG)

The New World Group is a global diversified investment company that builds, acquires, invests, and scales businesses focusing on long-term growth around the world. New World Group adds value to its partners and portfolio companies from deal origination and execution to value realisation.