The French online newspaper, Intelligence Online, described Sofia Abdellatif Lasky, in a report published in May 2022, as "the woman who whispers in the ear of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed." This website, which focuses on security and intelligence news, prepared an extensive report on the brother of the President of the United Arab Emirates, who oversees most of the ruling family's investments, valued at over $300 billion.
The mentioned source pointed out that Moroccan Sofia Lasky is the closest advisor to Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed and the financial expert who manages a significant portion of the assets of one of the wealthiest families in the world.
Sofia Lasky's reputation goes beyond her crucial financial role in managing billions of dollars of assets for the ruling family in Abu Dhabi. Bloomberg has described her as "the closest and most trusted woman to Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed," noting that anyone wishing to schedule a meeting with the man who manages the world's largest sovereign wealth funds must go through Sofia Lasky, a 53-year-old graduate of London South Bank University. She organizes key appointments for the UAE's National Security Advisor, having become part of the inner circle of the President's brother, who is also the Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Though Sofia Lasky, who built her career away from the public eye and social media, is one of the most crucial financial advisors capable of making difficult decisions in the investment market and massive asset management, her renown among major business figures worldwide has made her a significant player in the Middle East financial market.
Sofia Lasky is one of the few Moroccan immigrants in Abu Dhabi to rise to such a prominent position. She has established remarkable relationships with leading politicians and wealthy individuals globally due to her management of the massive assets of the ruling family in the UAE, which has placed great trust in her, trust that she has proven herself worthy of.
According to several specialized sources in the world of finance and business, reaching Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed is a highly complex or "nearly impossible" task due to the positions he holds, especially those related to finance. He supervises and manages the immense financial wealth of the UAE's ruling family.
Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, alongside his political and security roles, also chairs the board of the Emirati holding company known as "ADQ," one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the UAE and the sixth-largest sovereign fund in the Arab world, according to Forbes 2022 statistics.
In addition to the many companies under ADQ's umbrella in various countries or those in which it holds shares, estimated at over 90 companies, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed also owns his private company, "Royal Group," valued at $300 billion according to specialized financial magazines, through which he manages the ruling family's wealth.
Despite this extensive financial, political, and security profile surrounding Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, Moroccan Sofia Abdellatif Lasky has managed to gain his trust over nearly two decades, becoming one of the most prominent figures contributing to managing the significant "financial wealth" under Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed's control.
Who is Sofia Lasky?
It is difficult to obtain many details about the life and career of Moroccan Sofia Lasky, as she has clearly chosen to carve her path in the field of finance and business away from the spotlight of media. This chosen path likely helped her focus more on her specialization and achieve significant success, as evidenced by the great trust placed in her by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed.
Sofia Lasky, born in 1974, graduated from London South Bank University, specializing in Information Technology. About two decades ago, she moved to the UAE to work for financial institutions and investments under Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed.
Media reports indicate that since starting her work in the UAE, Sofia Lasky has gradually risen through the ranks (indicating her competency in the positions she held) until she became part of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed's close circle and his highly trusted financial advisor. Many international newspapers have described her as his right hand and the "architect" behind many successful financial deals.
The American business and finance magazine Bloomberg has highlighted the significant role Sofia Lasky plays in the success of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed's "financial empire," noting that she is one of the few expatriates who have managed to reach such a close and direct position with one of the most important figures in the UAE, emphasizing her status as a Moroccan expatriate who has achieved a high rank alongside the second most important man in the country.
An indicator of Sofia Lasky's significant role in managing Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed's vast financial wealth is what Bloomberg has reported from the late American billionaire Sam Zell, founder of Equity Group Investments, before his death in May 2023. He stated, "I have met many high-ranking government officials worldwide," but the top in his view is "Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed and Sofia Lasky."
Sam Zell, who passed away last year in May, was a close associate of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, with whom he shared numerous projects and businesses over two decades. Sofia Lasky, according to Bloomberg, was the main intermediary between him and Sheikh Tahnoun, overseeing and organizing their meetings.
No further details or information about Sofia Lasky are available beyond what some specialized media sources have reported. However, the many positions she holds in Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed's "Empire" indicate the substantial success she has achieved, especially in increasing the wealth of the numerous companies she oversees, whether under "Royal Group," "ADQ," or others.
Trust in the Right Place
Lasky's sensitive and crucial position alongside Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed did not come by chance. The Moroccan woman is doing an outstanding job managing this vast array of companies and financial institutions with great competence, as evidenced by the economic growth of these companies.
According to numerous financial reports, Sofia Lasky supervises the daily operations of the "Royal Group," valued at $300 billion. She also sits on the boards of nearly 30 companies under the "Royal Group," signifying her significant contribution to these companies' value and progress in their investment activities.
According to the Emirati press, Sofia Lasky has been behind many significant deals and financial steps for the "Royal Group" in recent years, especially after she gained substantial influence and direct connections with Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed.
Among the major deals she has planned, as reported, is the acquisition of over 80% of "International Holdings Company" (IHC) in 2019 by "Royal Group" and its subsidiary "PAL." Following this acquisition, Sofia Lasky became a board member of IHC in 2020. She also oversaw another acquisition, buying 45% of "Alpha Dhabi Holding" shares in 2021, and securing another board seat.
According to specialized media reports in this context, since the acquisitions supervised by Sofia Lasky, the market value of both IHC and Alpha Dhabi Holding has increased to $280 billion. Additionally, Lasky has helped boost the investments of "Royal Group" companies across various sectors, including real estate, technology, and tourism, among other vital economic sectors.
A Prominent Moroccan Name in Finance
The French magazine "Jeune Afrique," which covers African affairs, said in a report published in February 2024, that Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed's financial advisor, Sofia Lasky, is one of the prominent Moroccan names working in the UAE in the finance and business sector.
The magazine included Sofia Lasky among other successful Moroccan names who have excelled in various fields, having graduated from prestigious European and American universities before joining the UAE to work in high-ranking positions. It noted that Lasky has been the financial advisor to Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the second most important man in the UAE, for nearly 20 years.
Sofia Lasky's successful profile contributes to presenting a positive image of Moroccan women's capabilities to succeed in various fields and countries, which can benefit Morocco on multiple levels. This is particularly significant given that King Mohammed VI has previously called for attention to be given to Moroccan professionals abroad, urging them to pay special attention to their homeland and contribute to its progress.
It is noteworthy that the UAE, where Sofia Lasky works, is one of the leading Arab countries with strong ties to Morocco. Its companies and sovereign funds are among the largest investors in Morocco currently, with these investments expected to increase in the coming years, especially as Rabat prepares for major international events such as the 2030 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted with Spain and Portugal.
