Polar Capital Global Healthcare Trust
A United Kingdom-listed investment trust that invests internationally across the healthcare sector.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Polar Capital Global Healthcare Trust is a British investment trust dedicated to investing in the global healthcare sector. The trust was established in May 2010 under the name Polar Capital Global Healthcare Growth and Income Trust and is managed by Polar Capital. Its investment remit covers healthcare businesses and related opportunities across international markets, giving shareholders exposure to a sector that includes pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology businesses, healthcare providers, medical technology companies and other healthcare-related enterprises. The trust is structured as a listed investment vehicle rather than as an operating healthcare company: investors buy shares in the trust, while the portfolio is managed on their behalf by Polar Capital. The trust adopted its current name in June 2017, marking a change from its original growth-and-income branding. Its shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker PCGH, and the company is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. This listing gives the vehicle a place within the United Kingdom's public investment-company market while its portfolio mandate remains international in scope. The trust's identity is closely associated with thematic and specialist exposure to healthcare. Healthcare investment can span established pharmaceutical groups, innovative drug developers, medical-device manufacturers, diagnostics companies, healthcare services providers and other businesses whose revenues are linked to medical treatment, prevention or delivery. The portfolio is therefore positioned as a sector-focused investment product rather than a broad-market equity fund. As reported for August 2025, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, and UnitedHealth Group were among its largest investments, illustrating exposure to pharmaceutical and healthcare-services businesses. In October 2025, the trust asked shareholders to approve a change to its structure. The proposal would replace a limited term of eight years with an unlimited life, while providing investors with an opportunity to exit the trust every five years. This proposal addressed the trust's long-term continuation and shareholder-liquidity arrangements rather than changing its core healthcare investment focus. Lisa Arnold is identified as chair. Other board members, portfolio-management personnel and detailed financial data are not specified in the available reference material.
History
Polar Capital Global Healthcare Trust was established in May 2010 as Polar Capital Global Healthcare Growth and Income Trust. From inception, it was designed as a listed investment trust focused on the healthcare sector, providing shareholders with access to a professionally managed portfolio rather than operating hospitals, laboratories or pharmaceutical businesses itself. The vehicle's investment approach gives it exposure to healthcare companies and related businesses in international markets. The trust's original name emphasized both growth and income as elements of its investment proposition. In June 2017, it adopted the shorter name Polar Capital Global Healthcare Trust. The change aligned the public identity of the vehicle more directly with its sector focus and its relationship with Polar Capital, the investment manager. The trust remained listed on the London Stock Exchange, where its shares trade under the symbol PCGH. Over time, the trust became part of the FTSE 250 Index. Its portfolio has included large international healthcare companies. As of August 2025, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, and UnitedHealth Group were among its largest investments. These holdings indicate the breadth of the mandate: the portfolio can include pharmaceutical companies as well as businesses operating in healthcare services and related areas. The trust's corporate structure became a subject of investor consideration in October 2025. Shareholders were asked to change the trust from an eight-year limited-term vehicle to one with an unlimited life. The proposal also included an opportunity for investors to exit every five years, creating a recurring mechanism for shareholders to reconsider their investment while allowing the trust to continue operating beyond its original term. The available reference material does not state the outcome of that proposal. Lisa Arnold is identified as chair. The available material does not provide a complete chronology of chairmanships, directors, portfolio managers, financial performance, dividend history or the trust's detailed investment policy. Accordingly, the documented history is centered on its 2010 formation, its 2017 renaming, its London listing and FTSE 250 membership, its healthcare portfolio, and the 2025 proposal concerning the trust's duration.
- 2025
Continuation structure put to investors
[1]In October 2025, investors were asked to consider changing the trust from an eight-year limited term to an unlimited life with an opportunity to exit every five years.
- 2017
Current name adopted
[1]In June 2017, the trust changed its name to Polar Capital Global Healthcare Trust.
- 2010
Trust established
[1]The investment trust was established in May 2010 as Polar Capital Global Healthcare Growth and Income Trust.
Products and positioning
A specialist, exchange-listed investment trust offering diversified international exposure to the healthcare sector through a professionally managed portfolio.
Listed investment trust · 2010
Polar Capital Global Healthcare Trust
The trust's principal offering is its publicly traded shares, which provide investors with exposure to a professionally managed portfolio of global healthcare investments. The mandate is sector focused but geographically international, and the portfolio may include pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology businesses, healthcare providers, medical technology groups and other healthcare-related enterprises. The trust is listed on the London Stock Exchange under PCGH and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.
Brand decisions
2025
Proposal to change the trust's durationOtherBackground
The trust was operating with a limited term of eight years, creating a defined continuation question for shareholders.
Action taken
In October 2025, the trust asked investors to approve an unlimited life, combined with an opportunity for investors to exit every five years.
Aftermath
The available reference does not report the outcome of the investor vote or the subsequent implementation status.
2017
Adoption of healthcare-focused nameStrategyBackground
The trust had originally operated under the name Polar Capital Global Healthcare Growth and Income Trust.
Action taken
In June 2017, it adopted the name Polar Capital Global Healthcare Trust.
Aftermath
The shorter name has been used for the listed healthcare investment trust since the change.
Sources1 sources
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