Bentley Reid, the employee-owned wealth manager, has officially launched its Dubai office, Bentley Reid (DIFC) Limited, marking its first operation in the Middle East.
The firm has secured a Category 4 regulatory licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority and established its office in the DIFC’s new Funds Centre.
CEO Peter Clark has relocated from the UK with his family to oversee the new operation. Clark highlighted the company’s long-standing expertise, saying Bentley Reid has supported high and ultra-high-net-worth international families for over 40 years. He described the Dubai launch as a natural progression, building on the firm’s experience with expatriate clients in Hong Kong and other global markets.
Clark added that Bentley Reid’s discreet and highly personalised service model is well-suited to the region’s fast-growing wealth management sector.
Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, welcomed the firm to Dubai’s financial community, noting that the centre continues to attract globally respected wealth and investment managers. He said DIFC looks forward to supporting Bentley Reid as it connects with opportunities across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
Dubai has emerged as a leading hub for wealthy individuals in the region. According to Henley & Partners, the city had the highest concentration of wealth in the Middle East by the end of 2024. In 2025, the UAE is expected to attract roughly 9,800 new millionaires, surpassing traditional wealth centres such as London and Singapore. DIFC now hosts over 1,000 family-related entities, including 120 family offices managing USD 1.2 trillion in global assets.
Bentley Reid’s entry into Dubai reinforces the city’s growing appeal as a strategic hub for international wealth management and signals the firm’s ambition to expand its global footprint.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
