Rob Forker from Polen Capital is our Fund Manager of the Month

Rob Forker is Portfolio Manager and Analyst at Polen Capital and he joined Polen Capital in 2018. He is the lead portfolio manager of the firm’s International Small Company Growth and Global SMID Company Growth strategies. Prior to joining Polen Capital, Rob worked for 10 years at Loomis, Sayles & Company with six of those years dedicated to the Global Opportunities Growth Fund as a senior equity analyst and four years as an equity analyst in central research. Before business school, Rob worked on the sell-side for five years in New York City. He received a B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Virginia. Rob is a member of the Boston Economic Club. 

What were your reasons for entering the financial sector? 

I considered joining the financial sector when I was nine. My father and godfather were in the industry, so I read about companies and learned what drove their success early on. This fueled my interest in pursuing a career in the industry and ultimately built upon my purpose of helping our clients’ assets grow. I love what I do.

What do you like most about your job, and what do you like least? 

My favorite part is researching the most innovative and disruptive global companies. Investing is understanding a mosaic of secular tailwinds, competitive dynamics, current events, and human behavior which challenges me daily. It feeds my curiosity.  My least favorite aspect is when – despite all due diligence and industry knowledge – we don’t get a call right on a holding over the long term. At Polen Capital, we are passionate and invested in our mission to protect and grow capital for our clients to achieve their financial goals.

How do you see the current macroeconomic environment? 

It remains a challenging environment, but an exciting one. Because I am a huge fan of world history, I understand that cycles come and go. At Polen Capital, we aim to invest in great companies that understand our approach and philosophy.

Give us an example of a fund (company) that you have held for a long time in your portfolios and why. 

Five Below is a U.S. headquartered retailer with approximately 1,300 stores and, over time, has the potential to increase to 4,000, a great example of the type of company Polen Capital seeks to own. The company targets teens and tweens who spend their allowances on the store's treasure hunt. Its unique offerings and durable competitive advantage make it stand out. Despite shrinking customer wallets, the business remains resilient due to the value its products deliver.

If you had to define yourself in three words, what would they be and why? 

Curious: I love to understand why and how things work.
Grit: Like many of us, my life has not always been a smooth road. It is important to learn from the inevitable challenges to make myself stronger.
Kind: You should treat others as you would like to be treated because you never know how another person feels unless you’ve walked in their shoes.

How do you switch off when markets close? 

Global markets are rarely closed, but it’s important for me to take family time every evening. This typically involves cooking dinner, playing sports with my kids, and rewatching The Office.