Nettlestone Capital Advisors, a firm specialized in advisory and capital raising, has commenced its operations at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The company focuses on bridging the gap between expert investment managers and institutional capital throughout the Middle East.
Founded by Edwin Lawrence, who boasts over twenty years of asset management experience in the region, Nettlestone is among the limited number of companies in DIFC providing tailored fundraising services to alternative and specialist managers targeting investors in the Gulf. The firm holds full authorization and regulation by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
Nettlestone’s Partnership-Based Model
“Nettlestone emerged from a vision to create a better alignment for Middle Eastern investors and the specialist managers who aim to serve them,” expressed Lawrence, who previously took on senior roles at Franklin Templeton and Columbia Threadneedle Investments. “Being regulated by the DFSA and operating within the DIFC provides us with a robust governance framework, while our local expertise allows us to cultivate trusted, long-term relationships in a market that appreciates dedication and cultural understanding.”
The firm embraces a selective, partnership-oriented approach, collaborating with a few dedicated managers primarily within alternative asset fields. Additionally, Nettlestone utilizes a proprietary database comprising over 400 institutional investors and family offices across six Gulf nations, offering a targeted and strategic pathway to distribution.
The initiation of Nettlestone’s operations responds to a growing institutional interest in unique strategies and a heightened focus on governance and alignment in capital raising.