What sets Ardian Private Credit apart in a growing competitive market?
Inside Ardian
What sets Ardian Private Credit apart in a growing competitive market?
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30 July 2025
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Credit
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Private Credit
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United-Kingdom
Reading time: 2 minutes
Mark Brenke
Member of the Executive Committee & Head of Private Credit
Mark has over 20 years’ private investment experience in the European markets, encompassing both private credit and private equity. Over that time period he has played a leading role in the institutionalisation of the European Private Credit market and has successfully navigated multiple investment cycles. Before joining Ardian, Mark established Intermediate Capital Group’s Direct Lending business and began his career with Goldman Sachs in investment banking.
Private Credit at Ardian | A 20-year track record
Mark Brenke, Head of Private Credit and Member of the Executive Committee, and Patrick Shuttleworth, Investor Relations Managing Director, reflect on how we at Ardian have navigated complex market cycles over the last 20 years with a steadfast commitment to selectivity, rigorous risk management, and proactive engagement.
In this conversation, Mark Brenke, Member of the Executive Committee & Head of Private Credit, and Patrick Shuttleworth, Managing Director of Investor Relations at Ardian, reflect on Ardian's journey, highlighting the firm's pioneering role in developing private credit solutions in Europe over the past 20 years.
Private Credit at Ardian has successfully navigated multiple market cycles—including severe downturns like the GFC in 2008—whereas most players only arrived after 2010-12.
This experience has forged Ardian's strategy and proven the strength of its investment philosophy and process, enabling us to become one of the largest players today in the European mid-market.
As competition grows and investors increasingly recognize the opportunities in Europe, Ardian Private Credit continues to differentiate itself through its philosophy of selectivity, measured fund growth, synergies with Ardian’s scaled Secondaries & Primaries business and strong relationships with top-tier sponsors.
Although the opportunity set has evolved, the key tenants of our investment philosophy have remained very consistent – high selectivity, business model focus, high control positions and proactive portfolio management.
Learn more about Ardian Private Credit’s strategy and long-term vision in this video ↑
