Paris – June 10, 2025
iM Global Partner is preparing to launch a European High Yield strategy managed by its partner, Polen Capital, providing access to Europe’s diverse credit market during a time when investors are reassessing their global portfolio allocations.
Ben Pakenham, who was Head of European High Yield and Global Loans at a UK-based asset manager prior to joining Polen Capital, will serve as lead portfolio manager of the strategy. In addition to Mr. Pakenham, the European High Yield team also includes co-portfolio manager and research analyst Adam Tabor as well as research analysts Andrew Carrie and Julien Martin.
Together, the team was previously responsible for managing more than US$2bn of European and Global High Yield assets for a well-established UK firm. The team has extensive experience running strategies that generated a relative yield advantage with a lower default rate than the broader European high yield market.
IM Global Partner and Polen Capital believe what sets the team apart is the way they view credit risk through a different lens than credit ratings agencies, believing that structural inefficiencies in the leveraged credit market create attractive opportunities for active managers to exploit.
By carrying out fundamental research, they seek to identify mispriced securities with an embedded margin of safety to build concentrated, yield-advantaged portfolios.
At the same time, the team remains informed by the macro environment and implements strategic overlays to align their portfolio positioning with the broader economic backdrop. iM Global Partner will launch a European High Yield UCITS Funds within its Luxembourg SICAV, i M G P, that will be sub-advised by Polen Capital.
Julien Froger, Managing Director, Head of Europe, iM Global Partner said: “Given higher interest rates, strong company fundamentals and the attractiveness of the European market in the current geopolitical environment, we think there is a strong investment case for European high yield strategies right now. We are excited to be working with a high-calibre team of high yield experts on an actively managed strategy that will provide our investors with an additional source of return in their portfolios.”
Ben Pakenham, Portfolio Manager, Polen Capital, said: “I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the future of our leveraged credit business. By building world-class franchises in both global and European markets, we will amplify the strengths of our outstanding US credit platform.” He added: “Through Polen’s long-held investment philosophy of generating a through-the-cycle yield advantage while mitigating downside risks, we believe that we can generate attractive relative returns for our clients. Our team is passionate about creating innovative, best-in-class strategies that are meticulously tailored to meet our clients’ evolving needs, which should position us well to service growing customer demand for these asset classes.”
About iM Global Partner
Since 2015, iM Global Partner has built a global asset management platform focused on delivering excellence in active management. We offer mutual funds, active ETFs, and SMAs through equity partnerships with 10 best-in-class active managers: our Partners.
Our dedicated distribution teams in Europe, the US and LATAM are central to our approach, delivering high-conviction strategies across all asset classes to investors through a single, hightouch relationship.
Through a rigorous selection process, we identify exceptional investment boutiques that share our values of independence, integrity, and long-term vision.
iM Global Partner has around $45 billion of assets under management as of 31 May 2025.
For more information, visit imgp.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
About Polen Capital
Offering equity and credit investment solutions, Polen Capital is a global investment firm managing approximately $53 billion in assets (as of March 31, 2025) for institutions, financial advisors, and individuals seeking high-quality, active, concentrated strategies built for the long term. Polen has four autonomous investment teams, Large Company Growth, Small Company Growth, Emerging Markets Growth, and Leveraged Credit, with offices in Boca Raton, Fla., Boston, London, Hong Kong, and Abu Dhabi. Since 1989, Polen has built a distinctive culture and is committed to being a firm of opportunity, attracting and developing exceptional professionals aligned with its mission of preserving and growing clients’ assets to protect their present and enable their future. The firm has been recognized by Pensions & Investments as one of the industry’s “Best Places to Work” for each of the past nine consecutive years. For more information, visit www.polencapital.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Partners with iM Global Partner
Polen Capital – US & Global Growth Equity and Leveraged Credit, Partner since 2015
Dolan McEniry – US credit, Partner since 2016 Sirios – US long/short equities, Partner since 2018 DBi – Liquid alternatives, Partner since 2018
Scharf Investments – US & global value equities, Partner since 2019
Zadig Asset Management – European equities, Partner since 2020
Richard Bernstein Advisors – Global asset allocation, Partner since 2021
Asset Preservation Advisors – US municipal bonds, Partner since 2021
Berkshire Asset Management – US equity income, Partner since 2022
Trinity Street Asset Management – Global and international equities, Partner since 2024
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