Ardian strengthens its General Management for next stage of growth

Against a backdrop of strong growth and development of new areas of expertise around the world, Ardian, led by Dominique Senequier, and in agreement with the Supervisory Committee, has made several executive appointments, and established a General Management team, as a further step to strengthen the governance and overall management of the Group for its next stage of growth.

Joining Dominique Senequier, the General Management team comprises:
•    Mark Benedetti appointed as Executive President.
•    Mathias Burghardt appointed as Executive Vice-President.
•    Vladimir Colas appointed as Executive Vice-President.
•    Jan Philipp Schmitz appointed as Executive Vice-President.

In addition,
• Nicolò Saidelli is appointed as Advisor to Dominique Senequier on strategy and acquisitions.

The appointments of the Executive President and the Executive Vice-Presidents will be effective after the next shareholders' general meeting.
Ardian will pursue its development strategy by strengthening its geographical footprint, consolidating its leading position in the secondary market and in direct investment activities, expanding its distribution capabilities in Private Wealth and Customized Solutions, and continuing to develop its infrastructure activities in Europe and the United States, where it is already a respected player.
Ardian will also continue its deliberate and steady expansion of its product range including debt, real estate, and buyout in North America.

Dominique Senequier, CEO and Founder of Ardian, said: "This strengthening of Ardian's governance and management marks an important step in our history. The General Management team is made up of market-recognized executives who have directly contributed to building our culture and our success. This will enable us to continue to support our clients in a world where it is more important than ever to be agile, attentive and innovative." 

This month Ardian will celebrate its 10th anniversary as an independent company, having been founded by Dominique Senequier in 1996.

Patrick Thomas, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of Ardian, said: "This evolution in Ardian's governance, which follows the enlargement of the Executive Committee, is an important milestone for the company in that it is a decisive one for its next stage of development and growth. The Supervisory Committee wishes every success to the Management team chosen with Dominique Senequier and which will operate under her authority and her leadership".

BIOGRAPHIES

Mark Benedetti
Mark Benedetti is Chairman of the Executive Committee of Ardian, Co-Head Secondaries & Primaries, Co-Head of Ardian US, and a Member of the ASF Management Committee.
Before joining Ardian in 2006, he worked at KPMG Corporate Finance where he focused on mergers, acquisitions and capital raising in the firm’s Advisor group. Prior to that, he was part of KPMG’s Assurance group.

Mathias Burghardt
Mathias is Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee of Ardian and Head of Infrastructure and IT.
He joined Ardian in 2007. Mathias started his career in 1989 with Crédit Lyonnais in Media Telecom before heading HSBC Advisory and Project Financing in France. He has developed extensive relationships with international infrastructure industrials and financial sponsors, public authorities and regulators.
Mathias has over 25 years of experience in the infrastructure and energy sectors globally.

Vladimir Colas
Vladimir Colas is Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee of Ardian, Co-Head Secondaries & Primaries, Co-Head of Ardian US, and a Member of the ASF Management Committee. He joined Ardian in 2003 and moved to New York in 2006.
He began his career at a French startup active in the entertainment sector. Vladimir has been a Board Member of the Ardian Foundation USA since it was established in 2010.

Jan Philipp Schmitz
Jan Philipp Schmitz is Member of the Executive Committee of Ardian, Head of Ardian Germany and Asia, Head of Investor Relations, Deputy Co-Head of Secondaries & Primaries.
He joined Ardian in 2005 within the Secondaries & Primaries team in Frankfurt. Previously he worked at Ernst & Young and Arthur Andersen, working for Private Equity clients in transaction advisory services.
He has a dual role spanning the investment side while also servicing investors globally.

Nicolò Saidelli
Nicolò Saidelli is Member of the Executive Committee of Ardian, Head of Italy and Co-Head Buyout.
He joined Ardian in 2008 as a Director within the Buyout team based in Milan, with the responsibility of the Italian Investments. Prior to joining Ardian, he spent five years as a Partner with L Capital and Manager of its Italian office.
He previously worked with GE Equity Italia, Salomon Smith Barney, Lehman Brothers, the Richemont Group, Canal Plus and Olivetti Group.