French PE Ardian opens 4th Asian office in Seoul

Paris-based private equity house Ardian has opened a Seoul office as its fourth Asian base, as South Korean institutional investors such as pension funds are expanding their presence in global investment markets.

With assets of $82 billion under management, Ardian will focus on funds of funds and co-investments, and real estate services to attract Korean investors, according to its statement issued on Dec 3.

Currently, it has a dozen Korean clients accounting for more than $1.4 billion assets under management.

Ardian, majority-owned by its employees, manages funds on behalf of around 750 clients through five investment pillars: funds of funds, direct funds, infrastructure, real estate and private debt.

Its investments in Asia represent $3.5 billion in capital of which various fund and direct investments are also held in South Korea, it added.

The Seoul office will be led by director Won Ha who has been working for Ardian in Singapore since 2011.

Earlier this year, it opened a Tokyo office after Singapore and Beijing.