Praxis Strengthens Middle East Compliance and Regulatory Services with Appointment of Brian Reilly

Business

Praxis Strengthens Middle East Compliance and Regulatory Services with Appointment of Brian Reilly

Independent global professional services firm Praxis has appointed Brian Reilly as Senior Regulatory Adviser, reinforcing its governance, compliance, and risk advisory capabilities across the Middle East.

Based in Dubai, Reilly's appointment comes amid growing demand from institutional investors, fund and investment managers, and international businesses seeking specialist regulatory and compliance support throughout the GCC region.

The move marks another strategic investment by Praxis as it continues to expand its corporate and funds platform across the Middle East. The firm, which became the first trustee licensed by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in 2016, has established a strong regional presence with offices in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Reilly brings more than 25 years of experience in financial services, with expertise spanning investment management, banking, funds and trust administration, regulatory oversight, compliance, and risk management.

Before joining Praxis, he served as Regional Director for the Middle East at a leading global fund administration provider. He has also held senior positions at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and spent nearly a decade with a global custodian and asset servicing provider, where he managed compliance and risk functions across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, and Poland.

An experienced independent non-executive director, Reilly has served on the boards of firms regulated by both the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Dubai Financial Services Authority. He also holds advanced legal and professional qualifications in banking and finance law, compliance, and international sanctions.

In his new role, Reilly will work closely with Praxis’ corporate and funds leadership team to further expand the firm's outsourced governance, compliance, and regulatory advisory services. The focus will be on supporting clients with tailored onshore and offshore corporate and fund administration solutions across multiple jurisdictions.

Commenting on his appointment, Reilly said Praxis has established a strong reputation in the Middle East through its client-focused approach and long-term commitment to the region.

“There is significant opportunity in the Middle East for high-quality outsourced governance, compliance and regulatory support, particularly as firms face increasing operational and regulatory expectations while seeking to scale efficiently across multiple jurisdictions,” he said.

Robert Fearis, Group CEO of Praxis, described Reilly as one of the region’s most respected regulatory professionals, highlighting his extensive technical expertise, commercial understanding, and deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks.

Fearis noted that increasing numbers of fund and investment managers are either launching operations in the Middle East or relocating to the region, creating greater demand for specialist compliance and governance services.

He added that Reilly’s appointment will strengthen Praxis’ ability to support clients navigating complex regulatory requirements while supporting the firm’s long-term growth strategy across the GCC.

The appointment reflects the continued evolution of the Middle East as a key hub for investment management, financial services, and international business, with regulatory compliance and governance becoming increasingly important areas of focus for organisations operating across the region.