Ocorian acquires Clarity Consulting, a UAE-based specialist in regulatory and compliance services for financial firms. This move bolsters Ocorian’s footprint in the fast-growing Middle East asset servicing sector. The announcement came from Dubai.
Deal Overview
Ocorian, which serves asset managers, private clients, and corporations worldwide, snaps up Clarity to deepen its regulatory expertise in the UAE. Clarity, established in 2020 by co-founders Natalie Hodgins and Shamshad Khan, aids financial services providers with licence applications, outsourced compliance functions, tailored reviews, and remediation efforts. The firm focuses on the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) free zones. Partner Barry Cotter joins Hodgins and Khan, integrating into Ocorian’s global regulatory and compliance unit that spans London, the US, Channel Islands, Europe, Mauritius, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Broader UAE Strategy
This acquisition complements Ocorian’s recent securing of a DIFC fund services licence in September 2025. Together, these steps equip Ocorian to guide global and regional asset managers through their full operational lifecycle. Services now cover entity establishment, licensing needs, fund accounting, and administration all under one roof. Clarity will transition to the Ocorian brand later in 2025, building on the firm’s earlier US expansion via the E78 Fund Solutions purchase in August.
Executive Perspectives
Chantal Free, Ocorian’s CEO, calls the deal a key step in enhancing support for asset managers and owners across the Middle East. She notes the UAE’s rising importance, where clients demand uniform, expert, and technology-backed solutions worldwide. Free stresses that local know-how and networks matter greatly in the region, promising gains for both Ocorian and Clarity customers through an enlarged service lineup.
Natalie Hodgins, Clarity co-founder, welcomes the union with Ocorian, citing shared dedication to clients as true partners. She takes pride in the business her team built. Shamshad Khan, the other co-founder, assures clients of uninterrupted operations with wider offerings ahead. She points to accelerated growth potential through Ocorian’s global reach, keeping the leadership hands-on.
Ocorian positions itself stronger to handle complex demands in the UAE free zones, drawing international players to the region’s vibrant financial hubs.
