Architects of Ardian: Shaping our future through expansion

Back

Inside Ardian, Growth stories

Architects of Ardian: Shaping our future through expansion

  • 12 June 2024

Reading time: 3 minutes

    In this series, we share stories about how Ardian invests today to shape tomorrow. This article looks at our expansion into Abu Dhabi, Montréal and the Nordics and how this allows us to strengthen our global presence.

    Broadening our horizons

    Broadening our horizons

    In 2023, we announced the opening of our new offices in Stockholm, Amsterdam, Montréal and Abu Dhabi – the first Ardian office in the Middle East. 

    This latest expansion is a testament to the historic importance of the Canadian market for Ardian. Our firm began activities in the province of Quebec back in 1997, and through the years, we have nurtured relationships with over 50 regional clients. Our newly established Montréal team is thrilled to continue building on this journey.

    Dominique Senequier, CEO and Founder of Ardian

    The future for Ardian is guided by the new leadership framework established in 2023. This new governance aims to ensure Ardian has the resources and development programs to support its broadening geographic footprint, growing range of offers and asset classes, and increasing distribution capabilities.

    Partnership through proximity

    Partnership through proximity 

    Ardian’s expansion across these regions is driven by one key principle above all – partnership. With an ever-growing global footprint, we believe that we do our best work when working in close collaboration with our partners. For this reason creating an on-the-ground presence in these regions was essential, as being available to our stakeholders allow us to build stronger relationships, better strategies – and, ultimately, to create lasting change together.

    A bright future for the Middle East

    A bright future for the Middle East

    One of the core pillars of our strategy is investing today to shape tomorrow – and creating a more sustainable, greener future. In the Middle East, we can have this exact impact. We know that Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE are vying to be leaders in hydrogen and the energy transition, and we are already working on several projects in this space. We are also excited that many of Ardian’s European portfolio companies are highly interested in investing in the MENA region. Our historical clients in the Gulf are in Abu Dhabi and there is a concentration of high-quality financial institutions in the United Arab Emirates - particularly in Abu Dhabi. Governments in the Middle East want to transform their economies and there are many opportunities in sectors such as healthcare, technology, entertainment, tourism and logistics, making this a prime opportunity.

    Opening our office in Abu Dhabi is a cornerstone in the development of Ardian. This region has tremendous economic ambitions. Abu Dhabi will be a gateway between the US, Europe and the UAE and will include working space for our portfolio companies who want to expand in the region. As an example, recently, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has announced its intent to anchor an investment commitment in Ardian Semiconductor. This investment commitment is rooted in a shared goal of advancing innovations in the semiconductor industry.

    François-Aïssa Touazi, Senior Managing Director, Member of the Executive Committee and Chairman Ardian Limited Abu Dhabi and Chairman Ardian Limited Abu Dhabi, Ardian

    Long-term, personal connections

    Long-term, personal connections

    When investors, portfolio companies or any other stakeholder join Ardian, they know they are gaining a partner not just for today, for the long term. We know the importance that our clients place on this, across the globe, so we are delighted to have expanded into these regions and look forward to being Architects of Lasting Change – together.