Creative Zone Group, a leading 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 acquisition, announced on Tuesday 22 April, 2025, marks the second acquisition by Encor in the past three months and follows the acquisition of OCS Group in Shanghai, China.
Encor, majority owned by Nexus Point Capital, a leading Asian private equity firm, has expressed excitement in supporting Creative Zone’s expansion to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. 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.”
The acquisition comes at a time of rapid growth for the corporate service provider sector in the GCC region. This investment highlights Creative Zone’s leading market position in providing company setup and maintenance, tax & accounting, and other value-added services to corporates and individuals in the region. With this acquisition, the company can accelerate its growth in the GCC while taking advantage of the connectivity provided by Encor’s services and clients in key Asian markets.
Joe Wan, CEO of Encor, expressed his delight in the acquisition of Creative Zone, stating that it marks a significant step in expanding Encor’s geographical reach to the strategically important GCC market. Wan added, “This transaction marks a significant step in expanding Encor’s geographical reach to the strategically important GCC and unlocking cross-border business opportunities that will enable us to propel long-term growth across borders.”
The highly experienced management team of Creative Zone will continue to lead the business and support the integration of the company into Encor’s global platform. After the closing of the acquisition, Lorenzo Jooris, Group CEO of Creative Zone, will become a member of Encor’s Executive Leadership Team.
Jooris expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating, “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, was the exclusive advisor on the transaction. The firm assisted in the structuring of the transaction, debt financing arrangement, and participated in the investment as a minority equity investor. Sumit Mehta, Managing Director at Arrow Capital, stated, “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, has an impressive track record of assisting over 75,000 businesses locally and internationally. The company has established itself as the one-stop-shop for companies seeking business solutions, with services covering every aspect of business setup.
Encor, headquartered in Hong Kong, operates across key markets such as China, Southeast Asia, and the GCC, helping clients with their business expansion needs. Nexus Point, a Hong Kong-based Asian private equity firm, targets high-quality companies with strong growth prospects in the business services, consumer, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and technology sectors. The firm aims to invest in companies that possess strong “franchise value” and pair its investment selection process with a focus on strategic and operational improvements to generate superior returns.
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 specializes in structuring complex buy- and sell-side mid-market transactions ranging between $50-500 million, via its extensive global network. Recently acquired by Incred Group, a diversified financial services group with a presence in Dubai, India, Singapore, and London, Arrow Capital continues to solidify its position as a trusted partner in the UAE’s dynamic corporate services sector.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.