iM Square
Sekri Valentin Zerrouk advises iM Square on its first investment
iM Square, Europe’s first investment and development platform dedicated to the asset management industry, has acquired a 20 percent equity stake in Polen Capital Management LLC, an independently owned growth equity manager.
The investment represents the first completed transaction by London-based iM Square since it was launched in June 2015 by Philippe Couvrecelle and founding shareholders Amundi (the leading European asset manager), Eurazeo (one of the leading listed investment companies in Europe), and La Maison (an investment group that includes Dassault Group as its leading shareholder). iM Square expects to invest €250 million in the next two to four years through five to 10 investments, primarily in the United States, but also in Europe and Asia.
A growing asset manager that has seen its assets under advisement increase from $2.3 billion at the beginning of 2012 to more than $7.5 billion today, Polen Capital invests in businesses across the globe that offer the greatest potential for sustainable, above-average earnings growth. Its concentrated Focus Growth and Global Growth strategies hold stocks, generally for at least five years, that the firm believes possess the financial strength to weather the economic cycles with the least amount of market volatility.
iM Square was advised by Sekri Valentin Zerrouk (Géraud de Franclieu, partner, Jean-Matthieu Constant, associate) in respect of corporate ad M&A aspects, Cazals Manzo Pichot (Romain Pichot, partner) in respect of tax aspects and the legal coordination of the transaction, Seward & Kissel LLP (James E Abbott, James Cofer et Craig Sklar, partners, Gerhard Anderson et Dora Pulido, associates) as regards US laws aspects, and CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre (Jérôme Sutour, partner, Damien Luqué, associate) for regulatory aspects.
Polen Capital was advised by Greenberg Traurig LLP (Stanley G. Jacobs, Wietse de Jong, partners, Julie C. Morgan, associate) on US laws and regulatory aspects.
About iM Square
iM Square was launched in June 2015 by Philippe Couvrecelle, former Chairman of the Executive Board of Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management, and Jean Maunoury, former Head of Strategy at Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management, to build a global investment and development platform for the asset management industry. Amundi, Eurazeo and La Maison are the founding shareholders of iM Square, which targets talented, independent investment companies that are already mature, profitable, and recognized in their local market – primarily in the U.S., but also in Europe and in Asia – with the ambition to accelerate their business growth and support their international distribution efforts. These companies manage between $1 billion and $15 billion, invest principally in traditional and liquid asset classes, and offer a high growth potential. iM Square may finance its long-term growth with a possible IPO and is based in London. For more information, visit www.imsquare.co.uk.
About Polen Capital
Founded in 1979, Polen Capital is a long term investor in quality, growing companies across the globe. The firm is led by an experienced team of investment professionals who are committed to preserving and growing the assets of our clients through a prudent and disciplined long-term investment approach. Polen Capital is based in Boca Raton, Florida. For more information, visit www.polencapital.com.
About Sekri Valentin Zerrouk
Sekri Valentin Zerrouk was founded in 2004. Sekri Valentin Zerrouk is an international independent law firm representing a true alternative in the business law sector.
With recognized skills as well as a broad offer of relevant expertise, Sekri Valentin Zerrouk is able to handle all legal issues in France and internationally. For more information, visit www.svz.fr.
