SICO Wealth Appointed New CEO for Regional Expansion
The firm has tapped Ahmed Burashid to lead its upcoming entry into the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People
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SICO Wealth, a subsidiary of the Bahrain-based investment firm SICO, has appointed Ahmed Burashid as its chief executive officer. The company is currently preparing to launch its multi-asset and advisory platform at the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
Why it matters
The firm aims to capture increasing demand for cross-border investment solutions among high-net-worth individuals and family offices in the region. This expansion follows a 30-year track record established by its parent company in Bahrain.
Ahmed Burashid brings 20 years of GCC banking and investment experience, including 11 years at Kuwait Finance House-Bahrain, to support SICO Wealth as it builds upon its parent company's 30-year institutional history.
The players
Ahmed Burashid
The newly appointed CEO of SICO Wealth who brings two decades of GCC banking experience including prior leadership at Khaleeji Bank.
SICO Wealth
A subsidiary of the Bahrain-based investment bank SICO that provides Sharia-compliant and conventional multi-asset solutions.
The details
The firm is currently navigating regulatory readiness processes to provide conventional and Sharia-compliant investment services. Its entry into the Abu Dhabi Global Market marks a strategic shift to service cross-border wealth needs. Burashid, who previously managed corporate banking and debt capital markets at Khaleeji Bank, will oversee the transition pending final approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority.
Timeline
SICO Wealth plans to launch at the Abu Dhabi Global Market before year-end 2026.
Market Landscape
This move follows the documented industry trend of wealth management platforms seeking regulatory licensing within the Abu Dhabi Global Market to tap into rising cross-border demand. It marks a strategic expansion for the parent firm, SICO, as it attempts to scale its 30-year institutional history into new jurisdictions.
Operators in the wealth management sector should monitor this launch as an indicator of service-level competition for high-net-worth family offices. Management teams should track the firm's ability to navigate the ADGM regulatory process as a benchmark for their own cross-border compliance efforts.
The takeaway
The appointment of an experienced regional banker signals that SICO Wealth intends to prioritize institutional credibility during its upcoming market entry. Operators should monitor the progress of the firm's pending Financial Services Regulatory Authority approval to gauge the current barrier to entry for new wealth platforms in the UAE.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership changes, see our latest coverage in People.
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Do you believe the entry of new investment firms into your region benefits your financial planning?
