Arada Capital Completes ADGM Incorporation, Names Board Member and CIO as Developer Expands Into Real Estate Fund Management

Arada Capital, the proposed fund manager of global master developer Arada, has completed its incorporation in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and appointed an independent board member and a chief investment officer, the company announced Oct. 29, 2026. The moves formalize Arada's expansion from real estate development into third-party capital management as it seeks institutional and family office investors.

Leadership Appointments at Arada Capital

Abdullah Mohammed Al Mazrui has been appointed as an independent member of the Arada Capital Board of Directors. Arada said Al Mazrui brings more than four decades of leadership experience across banking, investment and commerce. He currently serves as Chairman of Mazrui International and sits on the board of Investcorp in Bahrain. His prior roles include Managing Director and CEO of the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Chairman of Aramex and Director of the Federal National Council.

Aastha Billore has been appointed as Chief Investment Officer. She has nearly two decades of experience in capital raising, M&A and strategic transactions across Dubai developments, and has held senior roles at Meraas, Dubai Holding, Careem (Uber) and Shamal Holding, according to the announcement.

The independent board appointment is intended to add financial-market credibility and oversight as Arada seeks institutional and family office capital.

Fund Strategy and $5 Billion Target

Arada Capital previously received in-principle approval from the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority and is seeking a Financial Services Permission (FSP) to operate as a fund manager. Subject to the grant of the FSP and following fund establishment in the ADGM, the firm is targeting $5 billion in assets under management over the next four years.

The initial focus is GCC real estate, with plans to expand into infrastructure and selected global markets over time. The strategy combines Arada's development expertise and regional relationships with disciplined investment assessment and governance. Opportunities will be evaluated on their individual merits, with a focus on investor alignment and long-term value creation. Arada Capital is continuing to build its investment team.

HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, Executive Vice Chairman of Arada and Chairman of Arada Capital, said: "Arada Capital builds on the development expertise, relationships and ambition that underpin Arada's growth. Our vision is to connect institutional and family office capital with carefully selected opportunities, supported by strong governance and investment discipline. The experience and perspective brought by both Abdullah and Aastha will be valuable as we pursue that vision across the GCC and, over time, internationally."

Moustafa Fahour OAM, CEO and Managing Director of Arada Capital, said access to Arada's pipeline provides "a strong starting point," while the platform's mandate also allows it to pursue third-party opportunities. "We will begin with GCC real estate, with plans to expand into infrastructure and selected global markets, with the aim being to bring investors opportunities supported by rigorous assessment, clear alignment and disciplined execution," Fahour said.

Al Mazrui said: "Arada's growth story and the ambition behind Arada Capital make this an exciting opportunity. I look forward to helping to connect institutional and family office capital with opportunities across Arada's pipeline and the wider market."

Billore said: "Arada Capital comes at exactly the right moment: regional real estate markets are maturing, institutional appetite is growing, and there is real demand for a platform that can deploy capital with both discipline and local depth. I am excited to help build something that will be genuinely differentiated in this market."

Arada's Development Scale and Sales Record

Arada enters fund management after a period of rapid growth in its development business. The developer reported AED17.3 billion of UAE home sales in 2025, up 199% year over year, with units sold rising to 5,140 from 2,171. Group revenue increased 170% to AED6.7 billion. Arada has delivered more than 10,000 homes, and its current and future projects in the UAE, the United Kingdom and Australia have an estimated value of AED130 billion across approximately 55,000 units.

Later indicators show a more mixed picture. Arada recorded AED5.2 billion of sales from 1,490 units in the first nine months of 2026, compared with AED13.1 billion in the same period of 2025. Projects launched by September 2026 were 83% sold, representing roughly AED16 billion of contracted payments scheduled over the following four years. Approximately 9,000 future Aljada units are scheduled for delivery from 2029 through 2036, including 1,100 units forward-sold to Aldar.

Market Backdrop: Sharjah and Gulf Real Estate Demand

Residential sales in Sharjah more than doubled to 13,081 units in the first half of 2026 from 6,140 in the first half of 2025. Second-quarter sales fell 30.5% quarter over quarter to 5,357 units after heavy first-quarter launch activity, though they remained 58.6% above the second quarter of 2025. The figures point to strong underlying demand with uneven quarterly absorption.

A dedicated fund platform could allow Arada to recycle capital, bring in institutional partners and earn fund-management income rather than relying only on development margins and customer deposits. Arada Capital's proposed differentiation rests on Arada's origination pipeline, local relationships across GCC markets, independent board governance, dedicated transaction expertise under its CIO, and the stated ability to pursue third-party opportunities.

Execution Questions Ahead

The $5 billion target remains conditional on regulatory approval, fund formation and investor commitments. Key questions for commercial real estate investors include whether Arada Capital obtains its FSP, how fund structures and fees are presented, whether it builds a track record separate from the parent developer, and whether third-party opportunities receive the same investment discipline as Arada's own pipeline. The announcement marks Arada's effort to convert development scale into an institutional investment-management business as Gulf real estate demand remains strong but sales volatility, construction execution and future supply call for more selective capital deployment.

Sources

Arada: Arada Capital completes ADGM incorporation and expands leadership with new Board Member and Chief Investment Officer