Abu Dhabi sets up L’IMAD board to sharpen global investment push

Abu Dhabi has constituted the board of its new sovereign investment platform, L’IMAD Holding Company, marking another step in the emirate’s drive to broaden revenue streams and deepen its presence in global deal-making. The formation of the board, announced by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, places the vehicle alongside a growing roster of state-backed investors tasked with deploying capital across sectors seen as strategic to long-term growth.

The establishment of L’IMAD comes as Abu Dhabi continues to recalibrate its investment architecture to capture opportunities beyond hydrocarbons, with a focus on media, technology, advanced industries and consumer-facing assets. Officials said the board will oversee strategy, governance and capital allocation, signalling that the platform is moving from concept to execution.

L’IMAD has already drawn attention in international markets after appearing in regulatory filings linked to a high-profile approach to the US entertainment sector. Filings indicated the vehicle was among Gulf investors that explored backing a consortium involving Skydance and Paramount Global in a potential transaction related to Warner Bros Discovery late last year, alongside Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the Qatar Investment Authority. While no binding offer was disclosed and valuations cited in market chatter varied widely, the episode underscored the scale of ambition behind Abu Dhabi’s newest investment arm and the Gulf’s appetite for marquee assets.

People familiar with the matter have said the discussions reflected exploratory interest rather than a formal bid, with multiple structures assessed amid shifting market conditions in the global media industry. Warner Bros Discovery has been the subject of persistent consolidation speculation as legacy studios grapple with streaming competition, high debt loads and the need to refresh content pipelines. Any Gulf participation would have aligned with a broader pattern of sovereign funds seeking exposure to intellectual property and distribution platforms with global reach.

The board appointments at L’IMAD are expected to include senior figures with experience spanning finance, industry and public policy, mirroring governance models adopted by Abu Dhabi’s established investment institutions. Although full details of the board’s composition have not been publicly itemised, officials have stressed that the platform will operate with commercial discipline while advancing national economic objectives.

Analysts say the creation of L’IMAD reflects a maturing approach to state investment, where specialised vehicles are designed to pursue defined themes rather than relying solely on broad, multi-asset funds. Abu Dhabi already controls several major investors with distinct mandates, and L’IMAD is seen as a complementary addition aimed at opportunities that sit at the intersection of culture, technology and growth capital.

Media and entertainment have emerged as a particular area of interest across the Gulf, driven by efforts to build local creative industries and secure stakes in global content ecosystems. Saudi Arabia has announced large commitments to film, gaming and sports, while Abu Dhabi has expanded incentives to attract international productions. Participation in overseas transactions offers not only financial exposure but also potential knowledge transfer and partnerships.

Beyond media, people briefed on L’IMAD’s strategy say the platform is expected to evaluate investments linked to digital infrastructure, consumer brands and platforms that can scale across emerging markets. This aligns with Abu Dhabi’s wider economic agenda, which prioritises private-sector expansion, foreign investment and the development of non-oil income.

The timing of the board’s formation is notable as global deal activity shows signs of selective recovery after a subdued period marked by higher interest rates and regulatory scrutiny. Sovereign investors with long-term capital have increasingly positioned themselves as patient partners in complex transactions, able to absorb volatility that deters more leveraged buyers.