French asset manager Carmignac has opened an office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and appointed Christophe Younes as Senior Executive Officer of Middle East Ltd and Head of Middle East, the firm announced on 3rd September 2026. The office has received authorisation from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to conduct regulated activities.
The Dubai office is Carmignac's first in the Middle East. Rose Ouahba of Carmignac described the launch as "a major milestone" in the firm's international development
Younes rejoined Carmignac earlier in 2026 from PIMCO, where he was responsible for raising capital across the firm's public and private investment strategies in France and Monaco. He previously spent ten years at Carmignac as a fixed income product specialist and in sales covering banking and institutional clients in France and Monaco. He holds a master's degree in finance from Paris-Dauphine University, is a CFA charterholder and speaks English, French and Arabic.
Carmignac Middle East's board includes Habib Achkar, who spent more than 30 years at Morgan Stanley, including as CEO of Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia, CEO of Morgan Stanley MENA and vice chairman, and who founded Marcory Advisors Limited. He joined the Carmignac board in 2024.
The move adds Carmignac to a growing list of European asset managers building a regulated presence in the Gulf to serve regional private banks, family offices and institutional investors, with the DIFC competing directly with Abu Dhabi Global Market for that flow. Distribution through regional wealth platforms, and the ability to hire Arabic-speaking senior coverage, will be early tests for the new office [inferred].
