Ardian Leadership Evolution for Growth

Ardian, a prominent global private investment firm, is strategically adjusting its senior leadership structure to propel its next growth phase. This significant governance evolution involves key appointments within the Group’s Executive Management and the Executive Board of its regulated entity, Ardian France. These moves are designed to fortify the firm's operational capacity and ensure seamless continuity across its diverse investment platforms.

Effective September 30, 2026, François Jerphagnon, a 25-year veteran of Ardian and currently Executive President of Ardian France and Head of Expansion, will transition to a broader Group role. He has been appointed Executive Vice-President of Ardian (Holding) and will assume the CEO position at Ardian France, succeeding Mathias Burghardt. Jerphagnon's extensive experience in developing the firm's Expansion activity, a recognized European leader in mid-market investments, positions him to drive further development and ambitious goals.

Complementing these changes, Marion Calcine, a key figure in Ardian's Infrastructure division, will also see her influence expand. Calcine, currently Chief Investment Officer for Infrastructure and a member of its Management Committee, has been appointed Executive President of Ardian France. Furthermore, the Supervisory Committee has named her a Member of the Executive Committee and Executive Vice-President of Ardian (Holding). Her tenure since 2007 has been instrumental in the remarkable growth of the Infrastructure business, which now manages approximately $45 billion in assets.

The firm is also reinforcing its Executive Board at Ardian France. Marie-Victoire Rozé, Deputy Co-Head of Secondaries & Primaries, will join the board. She will serve alongside existing members Stéphanie Bensimon, Head of Real Estate, and Thibault Basquin, Co-Head and Chief Investment Officer of Buyout, both of whom are already members of Ardian’s Executive Committee. These appointments underscore Ardian's commitment to leveraging deep internal expertise to navigate the evolving private markets.

In a strategic shift, Mathias Burghardt will step down from his corporate executive duties to concentrate on leading Ardian’s Infrastructure platform, which he established in 2006. He will continue to chair the Infrastructure Management Committee, leveraging his considerable expertise to guide the deployment of the Group’s Infrastructure fund. This move allows Burghardt to focus on a sector critical to Europe's economic future, including landmark projects like the recent EUR 5 billion data center initiative.

These leadership adjustments reflect Ardian's proactive approach to talent management and strategic foresight. The firm, managing over $130 billion in assets across various strategies including Infrastructure, Real Estate, Private Equity, and Credit, is well-positioned to capitalize on current market dynamics. The expansion of its leadership team signals a continued focus on delivering long-term value and adapting to new economic realities for its global client base.