Franklin Templeton reshuffles distrib team

Franklin Templeton has promoted distribution executives, including an Australian who has moved to a top post.

Matt Harrison has been appointed head of Europe & UK distribution for the US$1.3 trillion asset manager.

Harrison has over 25 years of experience within the industry and has developed client relationships across multiple markets, including Asia Pacific, Australia, India, Japan and the UK.

In his new role, he will be tasked with developing the company's distribution strategy and further expanding the firm's business in that region.

Harrison - who is based in Sydney and previously co-head of Asia Pacific - will relocate to London over the next few months.

Before joining the asset manager in 2018, he held senior roles at various firms, including Colonial First State, Commonwealth Bank, ING and Perennial Investment Partners.

As a result of Harrison's new role overseeing Europe and the UK, Tariq Ahmad's responsibilities have been expanded, and he has been named sole head of APAC distribution.

In the new role, Ahmad will serve the firm's clients in a region that is critical to the global growth strategy of Franklin Templeton. 
Singapore-based Ahmad was previously co-head of Asia Pacific.

Meantime, Dubai-based Sandeep Singh has been appointed head of central and eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, and India distribution.

Singh previously oversaw the leadership and development of the firm's retail and institutional business in CEEMEA so effectively, that he has added India to his brief.

Both Harrison and Singh take over the distribution responsibilities held by the former head of EMEA distribution Julian Ide, who is now vice chair, of EMEA, reporting to chief executive Jenny Johnson.

In his new role, Ide will engage with senior decision-makers at key financial institutions in that region.

Franklin Templeton's head of global distribution, Adam Spector, said over the last several years, the firm has been purposefully transforming and strategically expanding the firm.

"In crucial markets including the UK, Europe, Middle East Africa and Asia-Pacific, we have made significant strides in growing our distribution channels. Building on this momentum, it is important for us to evolve our leadership talent as we focus on delivering long-term value to our clients."

Spector added: "Harrison, Singh and Ahmad are seasoned, and proven leaders and I am thrilled to work closely with them to further expand our distribution footprint at this exciting time."

In closing, the distribution head thanked Ide for his efforts in running EMEA distribution and said he looked forward to partnering with him in his new role as vice chair of EMEA.

Interestingly, Martin Currie's new chief executive has taken over from Ide following his move to Franklin Templeton.

The active equity specialist has appointed Jen Mair to the top job after serving as operating chief since 2015.

Mair has led strategic change across the business while providing legal and governance advice to Martin Currie's global business.