We talk to the firm about its growing connections to the Middle East region and the forces encouraging clients to diversify.

China-based Hywin Holdings has become a  sponsor for this news service’s MENA awards this year, and the move comes as Hywin builds links with the Middle East.

Greater China clients are overweight in North Asian investments, and need to diversify, Nick Xiao, vice president for overseas business, Hywin Holdings, told this news service.

“They are looking at India, and looking at the Middle East, and want to be truly global,” Xiao said.

Hywin, with its listing in New York via the Nasdaq, already has a global perspective. The shareholder register shows institutional names such as VP Bank, UBS, Fidelity, Renaissance, Susquehanna, Acadian Asset Management, and others, he said.

The diversification play is important.

“Outside Greater China, Hywin also has clients located across Southeast Asia and Australasia, and now they want to look at the Middle East, too. These seasoned investors tend to think long-term, look for substance and are not easily swayed by narratives,” Xiao said.

“Traditionally, Greater China clients think about Middle East in terms of energies, sovereign wealth funds, and exotic travels. But increasingly Chinese institutional money and UHNW individuals are discovering the Middle East as a hub of innovation, a place for ideas and capital to meet, and even a permanent base for venturing into the MENA region and continental Europe,” he continued. “We have no immediate plans to set up an office in the Middle East. But our clients’ interest in Middle East, Hywin’s onging efforts to broaden our global investor base, and our intention to bridge Middle East money with Asian alpha require we start a meaningful conversation with the region.”

“Hywin is honoured to be a lead sponsor for WealthBriefing’s 2022 MENA Awards. Senior representatives of Hywin will be in Dubai in late November to join the celebration and make new friends.”

As recently reported, Hywin is also widening its offerings, such as in the health management space.

Hywin Holdings won the “Best Wealth Manager in Greater China 2022” by WealthBriefingAsia.