Franklin Templeton reshuffles leadership after Legg Mason acquisition

Franklin Templeton has annouced longtime India and CEEMEA managing director Vivek Kudva will be the head of the APAC region.

The news of the leadership reorganisation comes following the completion of the acquisition of Legg Mason.

Kudva has been with Franklin Templeton since 2006 when he was named President of the firm's Indian operations. He was most recently MD for EMEA and India.

He spent more than two decades with HSBC including as head of the credit cards division and head of personal financial services. Franklin Templeton president and chief executive Jenny Johnson congratulated Kudva on his new role, "to lead the team in delivering a range of truly diversified global investment strategies through an expansive distribution organisation with global reach and scale.

"Vivek's strengths as a leader and depth of experience in various international markets position him ideally to lead our newly combined business in the APAC region."

Matthew Harrison will continue as MD for Australia and New Zealand. APAC managing director Mark Browning will depart the firm.

"Our clients will benefit from the added capabilities across multiple world-class specialist investment organisations, and I look forward to working with my experienced leadership team to continue to deliver the exemplary service our clients expect from us," Kudva said.

"The combination of our two distribution platforms will enhance organic growth in the region as we expand our presence in key markets such as Japan and Australia. In addition, we see tremendous growth potential in China as the country continues to further liberalise and open up its market."