Franklin Templeton Announces Leadership Appointments in Global Distribution

Franklin Templeton Announces Leadership Appointments in Global Distribution

Matt Harrison appointed as Head of Europe & UK
Tariq Ahmad named as Head of APAC
Sandeep Singh appointed as Head of CEEMEA & India Distribution
Julian Ide appointed to the role of Vice Chair, EMEA

October 3, 2023 – Franklin Templeton is delighted to announce key leadership appointments within Global Distribution, effective October 2, 2023. These appointments will support the rapid and continued expansion of the USD 1.4 trillion global asset manager and will further position the firm to benefit from future distribution opportunities.

Adam Spector, EVP and Head of Global Distribution, Franklin Templeton commented, “Over the last several years, we have been purposefully transforming and strategically expanding our firm. In crucial markets including UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC), 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.”

Matt Harrison has been appointed as Head of Europe & UK. In his new role, he will be responsible for developing the company’s distribution strategy and further expanding our business in this important region. The distribution leaders in Europe and UK will report to him with immediate effect. Harrison will relocate to London over the next few months and will report to Spector.

Harrison was previously Co-Head of APAC at Franklin Templeton, based in Sydney. Prior to joining the firm in 2018, he held senior roles at various firms including Colonial First State, Commonwealth Bank and ING. He has over 25 years of experience within the industry and has developed client relationships across multiple markets including Asia Pacific, Australia, India, Japan and UK.

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, reporting to Spector. Going forward, Ahmad will have ownership and accountability of APAC strategy to best 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 APAC and has over 20 years of experience in the asset management industry.

Dubai-based Sandeep Singh has been appointed Head of CEEMEA & India Distribution, also reporting to Spector. Singh was previously Head of CEEMEA Distribution overseeing the leadership and development of the firm’s retail and institutional business in Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA). In his new role, Singh will expand his responsibilities to oversee the Indian market. Singh held several leadership roles within the firm previously in India and Malaysia and has over 25 years of experience within the asset management industry.

Both Harrison and Singh take over the distribution responsibilities held by former Head of EMEA distribution Julian Ide, who has been appointed Vice Chair, EMEA reporting to President and CEO Jenny Johnson. In his new role, Ide will engage with senior decision makers at the largest global financial institutions in EMEA to cultivate mutually beneficial long-term partnerships.

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 addition, I would like to thank Julian for his efforts and dedication as Head of EMEA distribution and look forward to partnering with him in his new role as Vice Chair EMEA.”

Background Notes, Australia

Franklin Templeton appoints Australian Matt Harrison to head of Europe and UK in global distribution changes; Tariq Ahmad named as Head of APAC

• Matthew Harrison was previously Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, and more recently elevated to Co-Head of APAC at Franklin Templeton, where he jointly developed and executed on Franklin Templeton’s strategy to drive growth in the APAC region. Prior to joining the firm in 2018, he held senior roles at various firms including Colonial First State, Commonwealth Bank and ING. Matt has over 25 years of experience within the industry and has developed client relationships across multiple markets including Asia Pacific, Australia, India, Japan and UK.
• With Harrison's recent appointment to oversee Europe and the UK, Tariq Ahmad's role has undergone expansion, designating him as the sole Head of APAC, reporting to Spector. Moving forward, Ahmad will assume full ownership and accountability for the APAC strategy, a critical region to Franklin Templeton's global growth strategy.
• Based in Singapore, Ahmad has over 20 years of industry experience with international exposure working with clients across UK, Middle East and Asia Pacific. During his tenure as Co-Head of APAC, he made significant progress, leading to a meaningful acceleration of the firm’s growth in the region. Prior to this role, he was Head of Asia Distribution at Franklin Templeton, was responsible for Asia (ex. Japan, India and mainland China) retail and institutional distribution, including marketing and product strategy.

For all media queries, please contact:
Rachael White, Capital Outcomes
Email: [email protected]

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the Company offers
specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives, and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,300 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and over $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of August 31, 2023. For more information, please
visit www.franklintempleton.com.au

This press release is intended to be of general interest only and does not constitute professional advice. Franklin Templeton and its management groups have exercised professional care and diligence in the collection and processing of the information in this press release. Franklin Templeton makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of this document. Franklin Templeton shall not be liable to any user of this report or to any other person or entity for the inaccuracy of information contained in this press release or for any errors or omissions in its contents, regardless of the cause of such inaccuracy, error or omission.

Any research and analysis contained in this document has been procured by Franklin Templeton for its own purposes. For more information, Australian investors should contact: Franklin Templeton, 88 Phillip St, Sydney New South Wales 2000, Phone: (02) 9250 2200

Issued by Franklin Templeton Australia Limited (ABN 76 004 835 849, AFSL 240827).

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