Scott Darling, a former JPMorgan Chase executive, has joined Cantor Fitzgerald in Abu Dhabi, according to his LinkedIn update, as the Wall Street firm builds out its presence in the Middle East amid a rush of global financial institutions into the region.
Darling joined the New York-based investment bank as a managing director focused on Middle East equity research, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He was previously a managing director at Haitong International Securities Group Limited, and led Asia Energy equity research at JPMorgan and Barclays from Hong Kong. Darling also covered Middle East equities for Nomura in Dubai. (Information sourced from his LinkedIn profile)
The appointment comes as Cantor Fitzgerald accelerates its regional expansion. The firm said in December it planned to open an office in Abu Dhabi Global Market, the emirate’s international financial centre, as it deepens ties with sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors across the Gulf.
Cantor Fitzgerald, now majority owned by the children of Howard Lutnick after he stepped down last year to become US commerce secretary, has been adding senior talent to support the push. In 2025, it appointed former EFG Hermes executive Ali Khalpey to lead its Middle East investment banking and capital markets business.
📌 Context:
Abu Dhabi and neighbouring Dubai have emerged as key hubs for global money managers seeking closer access to Gulf capital. Firms including KKR, Man Group, Millennium Management, Marshall Wace and Brevan Howard Asset Management have expanded operations in the United Arab Emirates in recent years.
Abu Dhabi’s appeal is underpinned by sovereign wealth funds that oversee roughly $2 trillion in assets, while Dubai has become a magnet for family offices managing more than $1 trillion globally.
