UAE - Yaser AbuShaban, Principal of Mercer Wealth, the largest investment consultancy firm in the world, highlighted the importance of looking at real estate allocations as a part of a larger institutional portfolio while understanding the objectives and purpose of including this allocation within an overall portfolio.

Speaking at the Middle East Institutional Real Estate Investment Forum, which took place in Abu Dhabi today, 3rd of October, Yaser commented:

"Since the Global financial crisis, many institutional investors have increased their allocation of real estate and found interesting opportunities in the asset class.  Globally, real estate valuations have become less attractive for future investments, especially for higher quality real estate asset. Given the current global macroeconomic backdrop, as well as regional political risks whether in the developed or emerging markets, it is now necessary more than ever to take a holistic view of institutional portfolios and articulate a clear understanding of where real estate fits within these portfolios.”

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About Mercer Wealth Middle East:
Mercer Wealth is the largest investment consultancy firm in the world.  With over $10 trillion in assets under advisory, and $160 billion of assets under management, we enable clients to access leading investment advice and the best investment managers through our team of 1,300 staff across 24 countries. 

Mercer Wealth has been in the Middle East for over ten years, with group offices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.  We are a trusted partner, providing research, advice and investment solutions to family offices, sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors across the India, Middle East, Turkey and Africa (IMETA) region.

Mercer Wealth advises clients on governance, investment operations and future generation planning, and enables the outsourcing and upskilling of key strategic functions for maximum results today and for generations to come.

Mercer Wealth is part of Mercer, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, a global professional services firm offering clients access to advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and people.

For more information, please visit: www.mercer.com.

About Yaser AbuShaban
Yaser AbuShaban is a Principal in Mercer Wealth’s business in the Middle East, and in his current role is involved in efforts to apply Mercer Wealth’s investment capabilities at Family Office and Insurance clients, and to help expand local presence and market knowledge.

He plays a key part in enabling Mercer’s clients to benefit from the firm’s global reach, analytical rigour and expertise in both traditional and alternative assets.

Yaser has 18 years of experience across consulting, banking, investments and asset management in both the U.S. and the Middle East, and has been in the UAE since 2006. His background runs across multiple asset classes where he developed investment strategies, managed discretionary portfolios, and performed manager selection and investment advisory.  

Prior to joining Mercer Wealth, he was the Executive Director of Asset Management at Emirates Investment Bank in Dubai, and the Head of Structured Investments at the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. Yaser also previously served on banking ALM committees and is experienced in in asset/liability matching. Earlier in his career, Yaser was a Senior Consultant with Arthur Andersen in the U.S.

Yaser holds the CFA charter, and is a native Arabic speaker. He received a BA in Economics (Honors) from Northwestern University, and also holds a Master of Science of Foreign Service in International Relations from Georgetown University, and a MBA (High Honors) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

© Press Release 2017