Investment firm Ardian has created a real estate debt strategy to finance pan-European real estate projects.

The newly launched Ardian Real Estate Debt will be led by Arnaud Chaléac who has been co-head of group finance at Ardian since 2008. 

Chaléac previously worked with major French groups across the sector, including Air Liquide, Kering, and Crédit Agricole.

Ardian said Chaléac will be supported in this new activity by managing director Sandrine Amsili. Prior to joining Ardian in 2021, Amsili held several management positions, including at Europhypo, CBRE Global investors, and most recently as director of real estate debt at SCOR Investment Partners.

Ardian Real Assets Debt will focus on senior debt and will seek to finance, alongside banks, in European real estate projects. All investments will have a strong ESG angle.

Dominique Senequier, founder and president of Ardian, said: “Real estate is an important growth driver for Ardian. We have great ambitions so the launch of our new real estate debt activity is a logical next step in our development.

“The team, led by Arnaud Chaléac with the support of Sandrine Amsili and our European network, combines in-depth knowledge of the sector with expertise in debt structuring.”

Chaléac said: “With the creation of the real estate debt activity we will be able to support major real estate investors with project financing, especially as leading banks increasingly need alternative lenders like Ardian Real Estate Debt as partners.

“With a team of recognised experts, excellent market access and the confidence of financial partners, we are well-positioned to offer our clients an attractive risk/return profile and contribute to the growth of the real estate debt market in Europe.”

Stéphanie Bensimon, head of real estate at Ardian, said: “Since 2016, real estate at Ardian has grown significantly.”

Equity investments through two generations of value-added funds have enabled the deployment of more than €3.7bn of real estate assets in major European capitals, with a balanced risk profile and excellent performance.

“This new real estate debt platform complements our offer and will help meet the needs of investors seeking a secure debt return with a major real estate focus, Bensimon said.

“For the coming years, our real estate development ambitions remain strong across the different risk profiles offered by our real estate markets in Europe.”

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