Transformational strategies that build global champions
Ardian’s Buyout strategy is focused on lead investments across our four sectors: Food Value Chain, Health & Wellness, Applied Technologies and Essential B2B services. With dedicated sector specialists, our team combines deep industry insight with a hands-on approach to help businesses reach their next phase of sustainable growth and value creation. Our unique access to founder and family-led businesses is a key pillar of our differentiated strategy.
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$16bn
of AUM
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30
years of experience
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100+
investments and 350+ build-ups
In Conversation with Ardian | Our transatlantic and Family Buyout expertise
In this conversation, Nicolò Saidelli, Advisor to the CEO on Strategy & Acquisitions, Head of Ardian Italy, and Co-Head of Buyout, sits down with Thibault Basquin, Member of the Executive Committee and Co-Head and CIO of Ardian’s Buyout team, to reflect on two pillars of Ardian’s strategy: its transatlantic investment platform and its long-standing expertise in Family Buyouts.
Decades of experience across four sectors
We pursue a conviction-driven investment approach, focusing on niche, high-growth markets across four core sectors: Food Value Chain, Health & Wellness, Applied Technologies, and Essential B2B Services. We target markets supported by long-term structural megatrends, leveraging decades of active investment experience and hands-on value creation within these sectors. The Ardian Buyout team has deployed approximately €12 billion across more than 70 transactions since inception across these four sectors.
Food Value Chain
€2.6 billion invested across 15 platform investments
Prioritized sub-sectors include specialty nutrition and natural ingredients; controlled-environment agriculture; cold chain logistics; and foodservice solutions.
Health & Wellness
€3.4 billion invested across 15 platform investments
Prioritized sub-sectors include specialty pharmaceuticals; outsourced pharma/biotech services, healthcare IT platforms, patient services; and MedTech and diagnostics.
Applied Technologies
€1.8 billion invested across 17 platform investments
Prioritized sub-sectors include data and information services; entertainment technology; high performance materials & ingredients; and industrial technology, including advanced engineering and manufacturing.
Essential B2B Services
€3.4 billion invested across 18 platform transactions
Prioritized sub-sectors include insurance services, value-added IT services, testing, inspection and certification, future-proof professional services, media services and aerospace plus defense support services.
A Leader in Sustainable Value Creation
Since 2009, Ardian has embedded sustainability at the core of its Buyout strategy, driven by the conviction that responsible ownership is a powerful lever for value creation. Following our first sustainability portfolio review in 2009, sustainability has become fully integrated into our investment process. Our ambition is to transform companies and create long term value through sustainability, as we do through other strategic levers.
As a responsible investor, we exert our operational influence and actively engage with portfolio companies. We have supported more than 50 Buyout portfolio companies in the development of their sustainability roadmaps.
Ardan’s approach is supported by robust data management, with over 40,000 data points collected since 2014 across the portfolio, enabling us to track performance, inform sustainability strategies and deliver transparent reporting to investors.
The Team
The team comprises more than 50 investment professionals based in Paris, Milan, Madrid, London, Frankfurt, Luxembourg and New York. This multi-local presence is a key differentiator, enabling greater proximity to entrepreneurs and local ecosystems.
Our team is built on emotional intelligence, which is key when dealing with founders and families. We understand their journey intimately thanks to decades of experience and can adapt to their needs to drive growth and preserve their legacy.
Advisor to the CEO on strategy and acquisitions, Member of the Executive Committee, Head of Ardian Italy and Co-Head of Buyout
Member of the Executive Committee, Executive Board Member of Ardian US LLC, Executive Board Member of Ardian France, Co-Head & CIO of Buyout
Head of Buyout France & Managing Director
Head of Buyout Spain & Portugal & Managing Director
Head of Buyout Equity Capital Markets & Managing Director
Head of Buyout UK & Managing Director
Head of Buyout US & Managing Director
Operating Partner
Managing Director - Capital Markets
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Senior Investment Manager
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Data & Business Intelligence Senior Manager
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Our Portfolio
Check out our investment map
From Fresh Produce to Fresh Ideas: AI & Digital Transformation in retail and private equity
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Buyout, Technology & Innovation Growth stories
Since opening its doors in 2007, Ardian’s Milan office has burgeoned from a modest team of just three experts to a powerhouse of 60 professionals...
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Buyout Market watch Growth stories
Audiotonix is a success story in the professional audio market, combining cutting-edge products and global reach. With Ardian’s strategic investment...
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Buyout Growth stories
The AI imperative: rethinking alternative investment
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Technology & Innovation, Infrastructure, Buyout, Expansion, Growth, Ardian Semiconductor Responsible finance Market watch
Empowering Family Businesses: The Ardian Buyout Approach with Neopharmed Gentili
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Buyout Growth stories
Anouk Daoudal’s Journey at Ardian: From Intern to Investment Manager
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Resource Center, Buyout Testimony
In this series, we tell the stories behind how Ardian’s portfolio companies create lasting change in their sectors. Through Frulact, our portfolio...
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Buyout Inside Ardian Growth stories
European growth ambitions for Jakala, the Italian martech leader
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Buyout Growth stories
Working at Ardian in Milan and being the voice of the future generation: Nadine's story
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Talent, Buyout Inside Ardian
It took nearly two years to negotiate a deal with Inovie’s management team and its 400 biologist shareholders that would allow the company to continue...
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Buyout Growth stories
Innovating food with Frulact, a food solutions specialist
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Buyout Growth stories
Invested in innovative health solutions
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Sustainability, Buyout, Investor Relations Responsible finance
Best French Large LBO Fund – Buyout (Silver) – Ardian Buyout Fund VII
In Novembre 2025, Ardian was honored with the “Best French Large LBO Fund – Buyout (Silver)” award at the 2025 Private Equity Exchange Awards for the Ardian Buyout Fund VII.
Best French Large LBO Fund
In November 2024, Ardian Buyout team was honored with the Gold Award for Best French Large LBO Fund.
European Asset Management Firm of the Year 2024
In November 2024, Ardian has won the “European Asset Management Firm of the Year 2024” at the Funds Europe Awards 2024 in London.
European Private Markets Fund Manager of the Year 2024
In November 2024, Ardian has won the “European Private Markets Fund Manager of the Year 2024” (AuM of more than €100bn) at the Funds Europe Awards 2024 in London.
ESG Manager of the Year 2024
In October 2024, Ardian was awarded “IJ Global ESG Asset Manager of the Year,” at the IJ Global Awards 2024.
Private Equity Exchange and Awards
In November 2021, Ardian Buyout won a Silver Award in the Best French Large LBO Fund category from Private Equity Exchange.
Buyouts
In March 2021, Ardian has received the Buyouts’ magazine award in the category International Deal of the Year for the exit from Kersia.
Best Private Equity firms for LBOs
Leaders League
In January 2021, Ardian Italy came top of Leaders League’s ranking of the Best Private Equity firms for LBOs in Italy.
Private Equity International Awards 2019
Ardian was named Company of the Year in France at the Private Equity International Awards 2019.
Private Equity International Awards 2018
Ardian was named Company of the Year in France at the Private Equity International Awards 2018.
Ardian Corporate Brochure
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Ardian 2024 Integrated Report
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Ardian 2023 Integrated Report
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Sustainable Buyout
Read the study
Our next events
Hear from our private equity experts
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