Meet the Architects of Ardian: Jason Yao, Head of Greater China

Jason’s journey to becoming a key figure in Ardian’s success story in Greater China is a testament to the transformative power of dedication, innovation, and strategic vision. Building Lego at age 10, Jason thought he might become an architect, building skyscrapers. Today, his aspirations have taken on a slightly different form in his role at Ardian, not necessarily constructing buildings, but creating sustainable businesses: building to last.

A culture of excellence

During his tenure at Ardian, which spans over a decade, Yao has skillfully navigated a path from investment analysis to leadership and management, showcasing his versatility and commitment across various domains. Heading the China office, being instrumental in developing Ardian’s Secondaries & Primaries platform in China and as the current leader of Ardian’s institutional investor relations in Greater China, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization's future.

Yao views Ardian as a client-centric organization that strives for excellence in every aspect. This approach not only involves a high level of accommodation and service for clients but also a significant investment in the company's employees, fostering a culture of trust and empowerment.

One of the reasons Yao treasures his association with Ardian is the company’s unwavering commitment to honesty and transparency. This service philosophy, which spanning from exceptional reporting to dedication to client communication, aligns both Yao and Ardian’s values, investing all our ourselves and maintaining a culture of excellence. This ethos sets Ardian apart in the competitive investment industry.

Accelerating our solutions

Over the past year, Yao spearheaded one of his most ambitious projects: the introduction of Ardian's first secondary offering in China - at a time when secondaries were relatively unknown in the region. Under Jason’s leadership, Ardian’s secondaries offering has become a leader in the Chinese market, solidifying the company’s presence and influence.

Yao takes immense pride in the growth and expansion of the Beijing team, a gradual but meaningful process that has strengthened Ardian’s footprint in Greater China. The cohesive and family-like atmosphere of the team exemplifies the positive and nurturing work environment Ardian fosters, reflected in the impressive employee retainment amongst the team which has remained steadfast for over 5 years.

Looking ahead, Yao is optimistic about Ardian’s potential to grow in Greater China. He is particularly hopeful about attracting more young Chinese professionals to the team, contributing to the region's vibrant financial landscape and fostering a new generation of Architects of Lasting Change.