HOLDINGS (ADGM)
Partner, Institutional Capital
Blackswan Holdings Limited (ADGM)
talha.aquil@blacksn.com · talha@blacksn.com
+971 50 123 4567

Talha-Khan Aquil is a UAE-based capital raising strategist and investment executive with experience spanning private markets, institutional capital formation, allocator engagement, and strategic advisory across the GCC and international markets. He holds a dual role as Managing Director, Abu Dhabi at Blackswan and Managing Partner of Gulf Equity Partners (Cat. 5 regulated placement agency under SCA UAE), where his work includes strategic advisory, institutional positioning, restructuring initiatives, and cross-border capital strategies.
Background
Mr. Aquil brings two decades of capital formation and institutional investment experience across private equity, venture capital, real assets, private credit, infrastructure, and emerging sectors including AI, blockchain, digital assets, and frontier technologies. His work has focused on helping fund managers, founders, institutions, and issuers navigate the often invisible dynamics that shape allocator conviction in the Gulf. Known for a relationship-first approach rooted in discretion, positioning, and trust, he has advised on capital raises, strategic mandates, and allocator engagement across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. His perspective combines allocator psychology, regional cultural fluency, sovereign-aligned thinking, and long-cycle capital formation strategy. Through Gulf Equity Partners and Blackswan, he works primarily on mandates above USD 100 million, with a focus on sovereign-aligned capital, family office networks, strategic restructurings, and cross-border investment relationships.
Professional Experience
Mr. Aquil began his career in banking and finance with Mashreq Bank in the UAE before moving to Switzerland, where he joined Lombard Odier in Zurich. He later served as Director at Lombard Odier Private Equity, working across alternative investments, private market strategies, investor relationships, and institutional-grade capital structures. His subsequent work has spanned multiple regions and sectors, building deep expertise in institutional-grade deal structuring, allocator engagement, and capital formation strategies that bridge emerging markets with international capital sources.
Education & Credentials
- MBA, Lancaster University Management School
- MSc, Psychology — Imperial College London
- BA, Economics — University of Chicago
- MA, Economics — University of Chicago
- Eton College, Windsor, Berkshire
Languages
English (fluent) · Arabic (proficient) · French (working)
