KKR has deepened its footprint in the Middle East with the appointment of General David Petraeus as Chairman of KKR Middle East and the launch of a dedicated investment team in the region, marking a significant step in its long-term strategic expansion.

The move builds on KKR’s 16-year regional presence and direct capital deployment since 2019. Petraeus, also Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, will leverage his extensive experience and relationships to support the firm’s partnerships and investment initiatives across the Gulf.

Julian Barratt-Due, Managing Director at KKR, will lead the new investment team, focusing on opportunities throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council. Barratt-Due previously played a key role in the firm’s strategic investment into Gulf Data Hub, a fast-growing data centre platform with assets across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

KKR has also bolstered its Global Client Solutions division in the region, with directors Patricia Bandeira Vieira and Michael de Freitas now based in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to advance strategic partnerships and investor engagement.

Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall, Co-CEOs of KKR, said, “We view the Middle East as an increasingly important destination for investment, with structural reforms, pro-investment policies, and favourable demographic trends accelerating economic growth.”

General Petraeus added, “The Middle East is emerging as a leading investment powerhouse with a clear vision, impressive innovation, strong fiscal position, and increasingly partnership-orientated private sector and governments.”

Barratt-Due also highlighted the region’s stability and growth prospects: “As the region’s economy is diversifying and foreign direct investment flows are increasing, we are excited to invest long-term capital and be a partner to businesses and our stakeholders to drive economic growth and value creation.”

KKR’s previous investments in the Middle East include a 2019 partnership with ADNOC to form ADNOC Oil Pipelines and a 2020 aircraft portfolio acquisition from Etihad Airways via its Altitude Aircraft Leasing platform.

Source: BusinessWire