Ardian has announced the opening of a new office in San Francisco, USA. 

The San Francisco office is Ardian's 12th office and further strengthens the company's development worldwide. It is Ardian's second base in North America. The firm opened its New York office in 1999, which marked Ardian's entry into the North American market.

Since 1999, the North American team has contributed 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.

Wilfred Small will lead the San Francisco 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 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.

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."