Matrix, the UK financial services company, has set up an organisation in the Middle East to raise funds for buying distressed properties in the Gulf.

Matrix Property Middle East, which was formed following Matrix’s takeover of the property group Kenmore Middle East, will initially aim to raise $300m (Dh1.1bn) that will go towards buying industrial, residential and commercial property in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The bulk of the money will come from institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals in the UK and Europe.

The National