Jacques Visser

Jacques John Visser serves as the Chief Legal Officer at the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority (DIFC). In this role, he oversees the legal affairs division and is also the secretary to the DIFC higher board, as well as the boards of both the DIFC Authority and DIFC Investments. Additionally, he holds responsibilities as DIFC's security registrar and commissioner of data protection.13

With over 20 years of experience in financial services law, Visser specializes in multi-jurisdictional investment structures, funds, asset management, and regulatory matters within emerging markets. His expertise extends to investment strategies and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in establishing landmark funds and investment structures pertinent to the MENA region.14

Before joining DIFC Authority, Visser was a national partner at Dechert in Dubai and was recognized by The Legal 500 as one of the top three lawyers in the UAE investment funds sector. He previously ran his own consultancy firm focused on advising investment boutiques in emerging markets and was a founding partner of Algebra Capital, which was later sold to Franklin Templeton Investments.12

Visser's extensive background combines strong commercial instincts with technical legal skills, allowing him to achieve significant results in high-profile roles throughout his career.1