AHR Dubai has achieved CISI Chartered Firm status, the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment said in a statement today (10 September).

The CISI said it has had significant interest in firms becoming chartered in the Middle East and AHR Dubai is the second firm to achieve this highly respected CISI Chartered Firm status, which shows that the firm has met rigorous eligibility criteria.

Approved CISI Chartered Firm status demonstrates that a firm is operating at the highest levels of trustworthiness and professionalism.
Criteria for achieving CISI Chartered Firm status include that a firm should have regulatory recognition, at least 50% of staff in their core area must be individually chartered with CISI, a CISI qualifications and CPD programme should be in place and the firm’s purpose and values must align with the CISI Code of Conduct.

Achieving CISI Chartered Firm status allows consumers to identify these firms as adhering to the highest standards of professionalism, thus enhancing trust and confidence.

Based in Dubai and licensed by SCA – The UAE Securities & Commodities Authority, AHR Dubai is the second UAE-headquartered firm to achieve the CISI Chartered Firm accolade.

Tyla Phillips, group executive director of AHR, left, remarked: “We are immensely proud of this achievement and recognition from CISI, which highlights our commitment to the high standards of professionalism and our code of conduct. This achievement underscores our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of excellence.

“As an organisation we encourage all employees in pursuing their further educational needs to advance their career, as well as increase their knowledge and professional development. By empowering our staff, it also strengthens our own commitment to transparency, proven expertise and market-leading standards from our highly experienced and qualified individuals.

Matt Cowan Chartered MCSI, CISI regional director MENA said: “We are delighted to welcome AHR Dubai as a CISI Chartered Firm. This milestone not only underscores their commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct but also supports the UAE’s vision of becoming a leading global financial hub.

“It aligns with the country’s investment in education and professional development, aligning with the forward-thinking vision of the UAE’s leadership to enhance the region’s status in the global financial landscape. We look forward to assisting AHR with their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements and those set out by the SCA, and we are excited to see more firms in the region strive toward achieving CISI Chartered Firm status in the future.”

Saldanha, formerly head of compliance at Acuma, holds qualifications including Chartered Status with CISI and CAMS (Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist), along with various Compliance and AML certifications.

AHR said this strategic hire came “at an exhilarating time for AHR, following its recent acquisition by Titan Wealth, which positions the firm for significant growth and enhanced service offerings”.

Daniel Dickinson, chief executive officer, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Derick to our leadership team at such an exciting moment in our journey. His extensive experience in regulatory compliance and risk management will be vital as we integrate with Titan Wealth and expand our operations globally. Derick’s expertise will help us maintain the highest standards of integrity and compliance as we embark on this new chapter.”

Asad Sheikh, chief commercial officer, added: “Derick’s insights and proactive approach to compliance will be instrumental in navigating the complexities of our expanded service offerings. His guidance will ensure that we continue to meet and exceed our regulatory and client expectations in a rapidly evolving landscape.”

Saldanha said: “I am honoured to join AHR at such a pivotal time, especially with the exciting developments following our acquisition by Titan Wealth. I look forward to leveraging my experience to strengthen our compliance framework and support the firm’s mission of delivering exceptional, client-focused services.”

AHR further said “his leadership will be crucial in driving the firm’s compliance initiatives and fostering a culture of accountability and transparency as AHR transitions into Titan Wealth International”.

Members of the CII must commit to upholding professional standards, ensuring competence, integrity and care of clients – all of which is embodied in the AHR philosophy.

IPPFs (International Professional Partner Firms) are corporate organisations who have committed to fully support their employees in their attainment of high level industry qualifications and their ongoing continued professional development, and who uphold the CII’s values and ethics.

William Burrows, co-founder & AHR group managing director, said: ‘’As an organisation, we encourage all employees in pursuing their further educational needs to advance their career, as well as increase their knowledge and professional development in order to strengthen our own commitment to transparency, proven expertise, and market-leading standards from highly experienced and qualified individuals.‘’

Tyla Phillips, group executive director of AHR, said: “We are immensely proud to be the first and only international advisory firm in the region to be awarded the prestigious International Professional Partner Firm recognition by the Chartered Insurance Institute.

“This achievement underscores our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of excellence. We are dedicated to empowering our employees through professional development, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide exceptional service to our clients around the globe.”

Regional director of the CII, Middle East & Central & Southern Asia, Gaenor Jones added: “We are very pleased to recognise the company’s keen efforts and investment in their employees’ career development through the attainment of CII qualifications.

“The IPPF initiative is a great endorsement for companies who make this dedicated endeavour which assists in boosting professional standards across the region’s financial planning and insurance sectors.”

The company further said that all client facing board members were highly qualified chartered planners, with a “further 25 fully Chartered status advisers registered across the CII and other highly recognized educational institutions, with at least a further handful only months away from achieving this status”.

AHR offer a range of benefits for employees studying for professional qualifications, such as study time, financial exam support, and additional training sessions and workshops.

Ellis (pictured) brings almost a decade of wealth management experience and strategic vision to AHR Group, most recently as technical development manager for deVere Group for over five years and prior to that a chartered financial planner at Guardian Wealth Management.

Tyla Phillips, group executive director, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca to our team. Her extensive expertise in financial planning and her leadership skills will be instrumental in advancing our advisory services. Rebecca’s appointment underscores our commitment to providing top-tier advice to our clients across the globe.”

Asad Sheikh, chief commercial officer, added: “Rebecca’s leadership will play a pivotal role in further enhancing our advisory capabilities and ensuring that our clients continue to receive the highest level of service. Her experience and insights will be invaluable as we continue to expand our global footprint.”

Ellis said: “I am delighted to join AHR Group at such an exciting time. The firm’s commitment to excellence in cross-border advisory services is well-known, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success by leading a world-class advisory team.”

AHR further said her role would be “crucial in driving the firm’s strategic initiatives and ensuring that AHR Group remains the preferred choice for individuals and businesses seeking expert financial advice across borders”.

AHR currently advises and manages $2bn of assets under advice and management on behalf of its clients and employs over 150 professionals in seven locations across six jurisdictions globally, Titan Wealth said in a statement today (24 July).

On completion of the acquisition AHR will be rebranded as Titan Wealth International,

Its first international deal “underscores the firm’s ambition of building a vertically integrated, client-focused financial services offering across multiple jurisdictions. Central to this ambition is a commitment to delivering enhanced value and comprehensive solutions to clients.

This acquisition will bring Titan Wealth’s assets under advice, under management and on platform to over £20bn.

Founded in 2020 by Daniel Dickinson, Tyla Philips, William Burrows, Asad Sheikh, Marc Beattie and Daniel Waterman, AHR provides bespoke wealth management and cross-border financial advice, primarily serving the specific needs of expatriates.

With a significant presence in the UAE and offices in Mauritius, Malaysia, Cyprus, the UK, and Australia, AHR offers a broad suite of services including discretionary fund management, financial planning, tax planning, and estate planning.

The statement further said AHR’s expertise and approach aligns seamlessly with Titan Wealth’s mission to prioritise client relationships and deliver tailored financial solutions. The firm’s wide client base and experienced management team would enjoy the backing of the Titan Wealth Group, enabling it to enhance its service offering and deliver greater client satisfaction.

This strategic move would extend Titan Wealth’s reach into the UAE, “a market with significant opportunities for growth”.

AHR’s strong regional presence, proven track record and expat-focused approach presented an established platform from which Titan Wealth could leverage these opportunities, whilst ensuring that clients continue to receive excellent, tailored advice and support, the statement highlighted.

For existing clients of both Titan Wealth and AHR, this development also “promises an expanded range of financial solutions, delivered with the same dedication and personalised care they have come to expect. Titan Wealth is committed to integrating its range of offerings to provide seamless, high-quality financial services across multiple jurisdictions, enhancing the overall client experience, while delivering improved value”.

Andrew Fearon (pictured below), joint group CEO and head of M&A at Titan Wealth, said: “This acquisition is an exciting development for our clients, reflecting our dedication to delivering an integrated financial services offering on a global scale. We look forward to working closely with the talented team at AHR to build our proposition internationally, whilst helping them expand their services to both existing and future clients.”

Daniel Dickinson, CEO at AHR, added: “Joining Titan Wealth is a natural progression for AHR. Our complementary strengths and shared commitment to service will enable us to offer an even richer array of solutions to our clients, ensuring their financial needs are met with excellence on a truly international level.

“We also look forward to benefitting from Titan Wealth’s substantial resources which will support our ambitions for growth, improve the career opportunities for our colleagues and will reinforce the firm’s standing as an attractive proposition to the wider advisory community.”