PGIM strengthens direct lending team in DACH with senior appointment

FRANKFURT, 7 September 2026 - PGIM, the US$1.5 trillion¹ global asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), has appointed Robert Scheer as head of Direct Lending, DACH, effective immediately.

Based in Frankfurt, Scheer will lead the firm's sponsor-led direct lending activity with responsibility for originating, structuring, negotiating, and underwriting transactions across the DACH region. In this newly created role, Scheer will report into Matt Harvey, global head of Middle Market Direct Lending at PGIM.

The appointment reflects the continued expansion of PGIM's direct lending platform. Established over two decades ago, it spans the lower middle market (through PGIM's acquisition of Deerpath Capital), the core middle market, and the large-cap segments. The platform now manages US$16 billion with transactions sourced broadly from an origination network that combines sponsored and non-sponsored sources.

PGIM's global head of Middle Market Direct Lending, Matthew Harvey, commented: "The DACH region is one of the most compelling opportunities in European direct lending, with a deep base of family and sponsor-owned businesses. Robert combines genuine local expertise with a strong cross-border execution track record, and his appointment reflects the continued build-out of our market-leading origination platform in continental Europe."

Scheer joins from M&G Investments, where he served as co-head of Private Credit Origination, leading sponsor-led mid-market activity and cross-border deal teams across London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. He was previously head of Direct Lending for the DACH region at M&G, where he was instrumental in building the firm's private credit origination business in Germany and the Netherlands from the ground up.

Scheer added: "PGIM's scale, credit heritage, and long-term approach make it a natural home for sponsors and companies seeking a reliable partner through the cycle. I look forward to helping deepen those relationships and grow the platform across the DACH region."

Robert joins PGIM from M&G Investments, where he was co-head of Private Credit Origination, leading sponsor-led mid-market activity and cross-border deal teams and co-managing a team of 10 professionals across London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. He first joined M&G in 2022 as head of Direct Lending for the DACH region, where he was a key driver in building the firm's private credit origination business in Germany and the Netherlands from the ground up. He also contributed to fundraising for the senior direct lending fund and represented the strategy at LP meetings and industry conferences.

Prior to M&G, Robert spent a decade at ING Bank in Frankfurt as director, Structured Acquisition Finance & Sponsor Coverage, where he originated, structured, and executed sponsor-driven leveraged finance transactions across the German-speaking market and built a broad network across the private equity ecosystem, including renowned large- and mid-cap private equity sponsors. His experience there spanned full front-to-end deal leadership across a wide range of sectors - from manufacturing, automotive, and software to healthcare, infrastructure, and energy - as well as significant restructuring exposure across German and cross-border insolvency cases. He began his career in leveraged finance and origination roles at Commerzbank, IKB Deutsche Industriebank, and HSH Nordbank.

Robert holds a Master in Finance from INSEAD and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, and completed the Transition to Business Leadership programme at IMD Business School in Lausanne. He is a native German speaker and fluent in English.

ABOUT PGIM

PGIM is the global asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU) with US$1.5 trillion in assets under management.¹ PGIM offers clients deep expertise across public and private asset classes, delivering a diverse range of investment strategies and tailored solutions - including fixed income, equities, real estate, and other retail investment vehicles. With 1,500+ investment professionals across 40 offices in 20 countries, we serve retail and institutional clients worldwide. For more information visit pgim.com.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI) of the United States is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential plc, incorporated in the United Kingdom, or with Prudential Assurance Company, a subsidiary of M&G plc, incorporated in the United Kingdom. For more information please visit news.prudential.com.

^{1 As of 30 June 2026}