Ardian opens new office in San Francisco

The San Francisco office is Ardian’s second base in North America. The firm opened its New York office in 1999. New York marked Ardian’s entry into the North American market and its commitment to being on the ground with its US investors. Since 1999, the North American team has contributed significantly to both Ardian’s investment and fundraising activities worldwide, by developing relationships with North America’s most respected pension plans, insurance companies, financial institutions, endowments and family offices. 

The San Francisco office is evidence of Ardian’s keen entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to growing its business in new markets. Wilfred Small will lead the office under the responsibility of Vladimir Colas and Mark Benedetti, Managing Directors at the office of New York. Wilfred Small joined Ardian in 2011 in New York. The San Francisco office will be staffed with a local team dedicated to following its West Coast LP and GP relationships in order to develop Ardian’s Funds of Funds business.

The team will also leverage the wider platform to bring Ardian’s Direct, Infrastructure and Private Debt activities closer to the West Coast investment community. The opening comes at a time of increasing investment opportunities in the West Coast and Ardian will leverage its existing relationships in the area to reach large corporations, major financial players as well as local companies and partners.  

Benoît Verbrugghe, Member of the Executive Committee, Head of Ardian US said: “We believe it is important to establish an on-the-ground presence given how active we are in the region. Our dedicated local team will allow us to pay attention to the nuances and needs of a number of key relationships with LPs, GPs, pension plans, insurance companies, financial institutions, endowments and family offices on the West Coast.”