Allianz Global Investors has appointed James Tevenan to lead wholesale coverage in the Middle East and Haydar Cicek to oversee institutional client relationships in the region.
Tevenan has joined Allianz Global Investors in its Abu Dhabi office. Cicek has relocated from the firm’s Frankfurt office to Abu Dhabi for his new regional role.
The appointments expand the firm’s senior team in the Middle East. They also bring wholesale and institutional client coverage under locally based leadership.
James Tevenan to lead Middle East wholesale coverage
Tevenan joined Allianz Global Investors in May 2026. He is responsible for wholesale coverage across the Middle East.
His role will focus on expanding the firm’s wholesale business in the region. He will also develop relationships with distributors and other strategic partners.
In addition, Tevenan will work to broaden access to Allianz Global Investors’ public and private markets capabilities. His mandate covers clients in the UAE and the wider Middle East.
Before joining Allianz Global Investors, Tevenan led institutional and family office coverage at Emirates NBD Asset Management in Dubai.
Earlier, he began his career at Schroders in London. He covered global banks, family offices and funds of hedge funds before becoming a private credit product specialist.
Tevenan is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst.
Haydar Cicek takes charge of institutional coverage
Cicek will oversee institutional coverage in the Middle East. He will also support the long term development of Allianz Global Investors’ regional business.
Cicek joined Allianz Global Investors in November 2012. He has more than 30 years of experience across asset management and investment banking.
His career includes international business development, strategic partnerships and capital markets. He has also worked with sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, insurance companies, banks and family offices.
Before joining Allianz Global Investors, Cicek held senior leadership and client facing positions at several banks in Germany and London.
Alongside his regional coverage role, Cicek has joined the board of Allianz Global Investors Middle East Limited. He will help guide the continued development of the firm’s regional business.
Allianz Global Investors builds Abu Dhabi leadership team
The appointments come as Allianz Global Investors continues to develop its presence in the Middle East.
The firm established its sales office in Abu Dhabi Global Market in September 2025. The office operates under a Category 4 licence issued by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority.
The licence allows Allianz Global Investors to advise on investments and arrange deals in investments.
Allianz Global Investors manages EUR 10 billion in assets for clients in the Middle East. The firm also launched its first onshore feeder funds in the UAE in September 2024.
The company said the expanded local team will support its relationships with both wholesale and institutional investors across the region.
David Gillard, Head of Official Institutions and Growth Markets at Allianz Global Investors, said the two executives bring complementary experience across wholesale and institutional markets.
Gillard added that their appointments will allow the firm to engage more closely with clients and strengthen its local proposition.
Allianz Global Investors’ Middle East business
Allianz Global Investors is an active asset manager with more than 700 investment professionals across 22 offices worldwide.
The firm manages EUR 653 billion in assets, according to data as of 30 June 2026. Its Middle East business includes locally based operations in Abu Dhabi Global Market.
The firm’s regional strategy includes coverage of both wholesale and institutional investors. The latest appointments place senior executives in Abu Dhabi to lead these client relationships.
The appointments therefore add senior regional responsibility across two key client segments. Tevenan will focus on wholesale coverage, while Cicek will lead institutional coverage and contribute to the development of the regional business.
