Ascentium, a Singapore-based global business services platform, has acquired Clara, the largest licensed corporate service provider in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This strategic acquisition significantly bolsters Ascentium’s presence in the Middle East, leveraging Clara’s established operations in both ADGM and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Clara is renowned for its regulatory expertise and robust service delivery, supporting a diverse clientele that includes startups, SMEs, law firms, and government-related entities. The acquisition aligns with Ascentium’s strategy to expand into key jurisdictions by partnering with regulated, values-aligned businesses. Clara will now benefit from Ascentium’s global platform, enhanced service capabilities, and investment capacity, enabling its clients to scale internationally whilst maintaining high regulatory standards.
Lennard Yong, CEO of Ascentium, stated, “ADGM is an important addition to Ascentium’s global platform, and Clara is the market leader. Their regulatory standing, trusted client relationships, and leading technological operating system make them an ideal addition to Ascentium as we continue to expand across the Middle East.”
Kathryn Burke, Managing Director of Clara, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting, “Ascentium has built a platform where people lead and technology enables. By joining Ascentium and aligning with this shared value, we can combine human insight with the power of innovation to help clients navigate increasingly complex, cross-border regulatory environments with confidence.”
This acquisition not only strengthens Ascentium’s foothold in the Middle East but also enhances its ability to offer integrated solutions in corporate services, finance, and accounting, among others, to over 60,000 client entities globally.
