This is a great launchpad for future growth in the region. 

Gaining approval required us to submit a detailed business plan to the regulator, and it required that the regulator approve the people in the key functions. 

We had to demonstrate infrastructure and corporate governance, which is why it is such a good jurisdiction in which to do business. 

Having permission to operate within it signifies that we are held to a higher regulatory standard and makes us accountable from the outset. 

It means that we can engage with a wider range of service providers and gives us access to a broader client base. 

We can now recruit and expand our adviser base from the DIFC, focusing on established, qualified advisers. 

Our chief executive Chris Ball explains: “DIFC is a hugely powerful and influential financial centre that we are very proud to have joined. It operates within a rulebook that aligns with our company values and our client proposition. 

“We see great value in the DIFC infrastructure where we will continue to work closely with existing partners and build new relationships.” 

At the end of 2024, the DFSA regulated or supervised more than 900 entities. 

Under Regulatory Law, this regulator strives to ensure fairness, transparency and efficiency in financial markets, build and maintain confidence and financial stability, reducing systemic risk and prevent malpractice that harms the DIFC's reputation. 

It also aims to protect clients and promote public awareness, as well as guaranteeing compliance with DIFC-related laws. 

Operating in DIFC helps attract talent, build partnerships, and expand in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region under a reputable, business-friendly regulatory regime. 

Chris says the DIFC has been “designed for growth”. 

“This is something that I like to think we are proof of,” he adds. “We are really excited to explore the opportunities that this license brings.”