Argentem Creek Partners, an emerging market specialist investment firm, has appointed Dilip N Massand as Head of Global Strategic Partnerships and Co-Head of Middle East, reinforcing the firm’s standing in the Middle East following the award of a strategic license from the Financial Services Authority of ADGM in 2024 and the establishment of its MENA and Asia headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
Based in Abu Dhabi, Massand will co-lead, together with Jeroen Westrik, the firm’s regional expansion and will drive global strategic partnerships, including co-investments, joint ventures, and new platform development.
With over three decades of experience across the Middle East, South Asia, and the US, Massand brings a deep understanding of multi-jurisdictional deal structuring and asset recovery. He previously served as Co-Founder and CEO of Phoenix Advisors, a legal finance firm based in ADGM, and earlier as Managing Director of SAS Asset Recovery, a special situations platform sponsored by a US credit manager. He also advises Alvarez & Marsal and sits on advisory boards including New York Law School’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Center and Education for Employment.
The announcement comes amid a broader global expansion for Argentem Creek. The firm also announced the appointment of Beatriz Franco as Chief Operating Officer, based in New York.
Beatriz joins with nearly 30 years of international experience spanning banking, law, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. She spent nine years at JPMorgan in Private Credit and Structured Products, practiced law across New York, Silicon Valley, and Brazil, and most recently served as CEO of an agtech startup and founder of a boutique venture capital fund. She holds an MBA in Finance, a Master’s in Law, and is admitted to the New York, California, and Brazilian Bar.
As COO, Beatriz will report to the firm’s leadership and oversee legal, operations, and enterprise support functions. She will serve on multiple internal committees and play a key role in supporting Argentem’s global growth agenda.
