Pierpaolo Cassese, a former executive at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, has joined BlackRock in Abu Dhabi, according to an update on his LinkedIn profile, as the world’s largest asset manager continues to expand its footprint in the Middle East.
Cassese has taken on the role of vice president for global product solutions for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, based in Abu Dhabi, according to the profile. He previously served as a senior product manager for fund selection at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.
The move comes as BlackRock deepens its presence across the Gulf, where international asset managers and banks are racing to secure mandates tied to the region’s vast sovereign wealth and growing private capital markets.
BlackRock received a commercial license to operate in Abu Dhabi in 2024 and the same year obtained approval from Saudi authorities to establish its regional headquarters in Riyadh, reinforcing its push into the region’s largest economies.
The firm has also been expanding partnerships with major Gulf investors. In 2025, Abu Dhabi conglomerate IHC said it plans to create a $1 billion artificial intelligence-driven reinsurance platform with BlackRock that aims to target as much as $10 billion in liabilities.
BlackRock has also worked with other Abu Dhabi-backed investors, including technology-focused investment firm MGX, on global deals.
