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iM Global Partner
iM Global Partner, founded in 2013 by Philippe Couvrecelle, acquires minority stakes in boutique asset managers to provide distribution and strategic...
iM Global Partner
Founded in 2013 by Philippe Couvrecelle, a former executive at Natixis Global Asset Management, iM Global Partner operates a distinct holding-company model that acquires meaningful minority equity stakes in boutique asset managers. The firm does not consolidate or rebrand its partners. Instead, it provides capital, global distribution infrastructure, and operational support to help specialized investment teams scale without diluting their investment independence or culture. The firm allocates across public equity, fixed income, and private markets through its network of partner boutiques. Public-equity partners have included Polen Capital, a Florida-based growth-equity manager, and Scharf Investments, a value-oriented shop in California. In private markets, iM Global Partner has expanded into credit and real assets by acquiring minority interests in firms such as Litman Gregory, a multi-manager alternative-investment specialist. The partner network spans the United States and Europe, with distribution relationships extending into Asia and Latin America. Headquartered in Paris, iM Global Partner does not disclose total assets under management or deployment figures. The firm has pursued a measured expansion pace, focusing on a small number of high-conviction partnerships rather than a roll-up strategy. In September 2023, the firm announced a minority investment in New York-based alternative credit manager Strategic Value Partners, deepening its private-credit exposure through one of the larger distressed-debt specialists in the market (per the firm, September 2023). iM Global Partner’s structure differs from traditional fund-of-funds or multi-boutique consolidators. By owning equity in its partner firms rather than merely distributing their funds, the firm captures economics from both asset management fees and enterprise value growth. This creates permanent capital relationships that align the firm with the long-term success of each affiliate, rather than episodic product-distribution deals.
General information
Firm type
Generic
Year founded
2013
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Europe
Country
France
City
Paris
Corporate office
Paris, France
Principals
Philippe Couvrecelle
Founder & Chairman
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
How is iM Global Partner different from a traditional fund of funds?
iM Global Partner takes minority equity stakes in boutique asset managers rather than simply allocating into their funds. This gives the firm a share of the partner's enterprise value and fee revenue in addition to investment performance, creating permanent-capital alignment that a standard fund-of-funds vehicle lacks. The structure resembles a holding company more than a commingled investment pool.
How does iM Global Partner select its partner firms?
The firm targets founder-led, specialized asset managers with strong long-term track records and a distinctive investment culture. It seeks minority equity positions, typically between 20% and 40%, leaving control with the founding team. Partners must demonstrate capacity to scale with distribution support and a clear philosophy that resists style drift under asset-growth pressure.
What investment strategies are accessible through iM Global Partner's network?
The partner network includes active equity managers covering US large-cap growth, international value, and emerging markets. Fixed-income strategies span high-yield, investment-grade, and multi-sector mandates. Private-market exposure includes alternative credit via Strategic Value Partners, a distressed-debt specialist, and multi-manager private-asset portfolios through Litman Gregory. The firm does not operate a single proprietary fund but distributes each partner's strategies individually.
Is iM Global Partner an asset manager or a distribution platform?
It is both. The firm operates global distribution channels—primarily in Europe, the US, and parts of Asia—that offer partner strategies to institutional investors, financial intermediaries, and wealth managers. The distinction is that iMGP holds equity in the managers it distributes, aligning its commercial interests with their long-term success rather than treating distribution as a transactional service.
What is the firm's geographic footprint?
iM Global Partner is headquartered in Paris and has historically maintained operations or distribution offices in London, Milan, and the United States. Its partner managers are concentrated in North America and Europe. The firm does not disclose the total number of offices globally; public record indicates a lean administrative presence consistent with a holding-company model.
Does iM Global Partner launch its own funds, or only distribute partner strategies?
The firm conducts its business through partner boutiques whose strategies carry their own branding and fund structures. iMGP acts as an accelerator—providing capital and distribution—but does not consolidate these products under a single house-brand umbrella. Investors access partner strategies through UCITS funds and US-registered vehicles, depending on jurisdiction.
Who controls investment decisions at iM Global Partner?
Investment decisions for client portfolios reside entirely with the portfolio managers at each partner firm. iM Global Partner does not impose a centralized investment committee, asset-allocation model, or top-down risk overlay. Philippe Couvrecelle, the founder and chairman, leads the strategic direction of the holding company, focused on partner selection and business development rather than security selection.
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