Strategic CFO Search and Executive Build-Out for an Abu Dhabi Investment Group
The Challenge:
A leading Abu Dhabi-based investment holding group required a transformative Group CFO to lead financial strategy across a diverse, multi-sector portfolio. The mandate was highly complex:
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The CFO needed to be bilingual, with deep GCC experience and prior leadership within large holding groups.
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The role demanded expertise in group-wide governance, international reporting standards and strategic capital planning.
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The search had to be confidential, rigorous, and aligned with a long-term vision for professionalising the organisation.
The Solution:
The group selected Aventus exclusively due to our track record in high-level GCC searches and our trusted network within regional and international investment firms. We launched a targeted, high-touch search process built on discretion, transparency and execution excellence.
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Conducted detailed discovery sessions with the Group CEO and senior stakeholders to align culture and strategic goals.
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Embedded Aventus consultants on-site weekly to ensure real-time feedback loops and stakeholder engagement.
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Executed a global-local hybrid search model, mapping CFOs across the GCC and abroad with relevant sector and holding group credentials.
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Used technical and cultural assessments to benchmark candidates against market-leading standards.
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Delivered full advisory support including salary benchmarking and structural recommendations.
The Outcome:
The CFO role was successfully filled through a focused and efficient process that exceeded expectations on both speed and quality.
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The appointed executive was a bilingual, regionally seasoned CFO with a strong track record at major investment holding groups.
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The new CFO significantly elevated the group’s financial governance, investor reporting and strategic capital positioning.
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Following this success, Aventus was retained for further senior hires:
- A global search for an elite-level Debt Capital Markets (DCM) Banker
- Two Senior Investment Professionals at group and subsidiary levels
- A strategic M&A Finance Specialist to support inorganic growth
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Each search was completed on time, with a strong long-term cultural and strategic fit.
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Our collaborative, on-site model built enduring trust with the leadership team, positioning Aventus as a long-term strategic talent partner for ongoing executive recruitment needs.