On Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025, it was announced that Creative Zone Group, a prominent corporate service provider based in the UAE, has been acquired by Encor Group, a regional corporate, trust, and fund services platform headquartered in Hong Kong. The transaction, which was completed on April 16th, marks the second acquisition by Encor in the past three months, following their acquisition of OCS Group, a leading corporate services provider in Shanghai, China. Encor is majority owned by Nexus Point Capital, a leading private equity firm in Asia.
The acquisition is a testament to the rapid growth of the corporate service provider sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. It also highlights Creative Zone’s strong market position in providing company setup and maintenance, tax and accounting, and other value-added services to businesses and individuals in the region. This investment will enable the company to further accelerate its growth in the GCC, while also benefiting from the connectivity provided by Encor’s services and clients in key Asian markets.
According to Kuo Chuan Kung, Managing Partner of Nexus Point, “Creative Zone is a leading CSP in the GCC, and we are excited to support Encor in its expansion to this attractive, fast-growing region.”
This acquisition comes at a time of significant growth for Creative Zone, as the company has expanded its services beyond the UAE into Saudi Arabia and Qatar. To date, they have successfully supported over 75,000 entrepreneurs with a comprehensive range of corporate services and business solutions. The acquisition also demonstrates Encor’s commitment to investing in the rapidly expanding GCC market.
Joe Wan, CEO of Encor, stated, “We are delighted with the acquisition of Creative Zone. This transaction marks a significant step in expanding Encor’s geographical reach to the strategically important GCC region. It also unlocks cross-border business opportunities that will enable us to propel long-term growth across borders.”
Creative Zone’s experienced management team will continue to lead the business and support its integration into Encor’s global platform. After the acquisition is finalized, Lorenzo Jooris, Group CEO of Creative Zone, will become a member of Encor’s Executive Leadership Team.
Lorenzo commented, “Today’s announcement represents a significant milestone for Creative Zone. Encor and its investors bring considerable financial resources and operating expertise to the table, enabling us to enter an exciting new phase of our growth strategy into global markets. Our combined strengths will accelerate the growth of our business, enhancing our ability to deliver innovative solutions that meet growing demands within and beyond the GCC.”
Arrow Capital, a leading financial and investment advisory firm in the UAE, acted as the exclusive advisor for the transaction. They assisted in structuring the deal, arranging debt financing, and participated in the investment as a minority equity investor. Sumit Mehta, Managing Director at Arrow Capital, said, “This acquisition reinforces our position as a trusted partner in the UAE’s dynamic corporate services sector, and we see tremendous opportunities to expand the company’s capabilities and further strengthen its market leading position.”
Creative Zone, established in 2010, is the leading and most trusted business setup advisor in the Middle East. With an impressive track record of assisting over 75,000 businesses locally and internationally, Creative Zone has become the one-stop-shop for companies seeking business solutions. They offer services covering every aspect of business setup, from seamless licensing processes to customized value-added solutions.
Encor, headquartered in Hong Kong, is a leading corporate, trust, and fund services platform. With a strong international presence across multiple continents, Encor operates in key markets such as China, Southeast Asia, and the GCC, helping clients with their business expansion needs.
Nexus Point is an Asian private equity firm based in Hong Kong. They focus on investing in high-quality companies with strong growth prospects in the business services, consumer, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and technology sectors. Their aim is to generate superior returns through strategic and operational improvements.
Arrow Capital, a DFSA regulated financial and investment firm based in DIFC, Dubai, specializes in investment management, wealth management, and corporate finance services. The firm has a strong global network and specializes in structuring complex buy- and sell-side mid-market transactions ranging between $50-500 million. Recently, Arrow Capital was acquired by Incred Group, a diversified financial services group with a presence in Dubai, India, Singapore, and London.
