Oaktree's European Principal strategy combines special situations investing in dislocated sectors and geographies with more traditional middle-market private equity, investing at any level of the capital structure and seeking equity positions that result in substantial influence, control or total ownership.
Oaktree's European footprint provides introductions to strategic partners and intermediary relationships across the continent and enables the sharing of industry knowledge and global investment experience. Oaktree’s investment professionals dedicated to European Principal benefit from the local presence of other Oaktree strategies and expertise in high yield debt, distressed debt and real estate.
"We focus on business sectors where Oaktree has prior experience and expertise," says Caleb Kramer, the strategy’s portfolio manager, "or we partner with individuals or groups that have industry expertise but lack capital or other resources."
We particularly favor cross-border investments that benefit from European integration or provide opportunity for global distribution. We seek to maximize value through the divestiture of assets of large companies, as well as from enhancing the strategic and operational expertise of family-owned businesses.