Global investor services group IQ-EQ has announced that its subsidiary, Gordian Capital, has received regulatory approval to expand its institutional cross-border fund platform into Dubai. This expansion, facilitated by a new office at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), allows Gordian to offer a comprehensive suite of institutional fund services, including managing collective investment funds and advising on financial products.
The licence, granted by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), enables Gordian to serve experienced investment professionals with regulated fund infrastructure, allowing clients to focus on investment strategies. This move is part of IQ-EQ and Gordian’s strategic growth plans, aiming to leverage their strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region to tap into the Middle East’s evolving financial ecosystem.
Gordian Capital, acquired by IQ-EQ in July 2025, is the Asia-Pacific region’s first and largest institutional cross-border fund platform. With offices in Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Melbourne, and now Dubai, Gordian manages $22b across various strategies. The expansion into Dubai is seen as a significant milestone, reinforcing IQ-EQ’s position as a leading provider of regulated market entry offerings across APAC and EMEA.
Mark Voumard, Gordian’s founder and Managing Director, highlighted the challenges of cross-border operations, stating, “Leveraging Gordian’s 20 years’ experience in APAC, we can provide a highly regulated market entry pathway.” Richard Surrency, IQ-EQ’s Group Chief Commercial Officer, expressed confidence in the UAE’s market resilience, emphasising its central role in the company’s Middle East growth plans.
Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, welcomed Gordian’s expansion, noting its contribution to DIFC’s asset management ecosystem. This development underscores DIFC’s status as a leading centre for asset management in the region.
