Franklin Templeton announced the appointment of Tariq Ahmad as Head of Asia Distribution. Since 2017, he had served as a leader of Brandywine Global Investment Management, a specialist investment manager of Franklin Templeton.
Ahmad he is an 18-year industry veteran with a successful track record of leading investment businesses in Asia. In his new role, Ahmad will oversee sales, marketing and product strategy efforts across Asia (excluding Japan, India and mainland China). He will provide strategic direction on product innovation and customized investment solutions to cater to shifting client needs in region, and will also continue to support distribution efforts to deepen and enhance relationships with key Asian retail and institutional clients.
Based in Singapore, Ahmad will report to Vivek Kudva, Head of APAC Distribution. Kudva will continue to provide overall strategic direction and focus on growing, consolidating and diversifying Franklin Templeton’s business by geography, client type and strategy in the Asia Pacific region.
Following its landmark acquisition of Legg Mason in 2020, Franklin Templeton established a new regionalized distribution model with the goal of heightening responsiveness to opportunities at the local level. In support of scaling and driving Franklin Templeton’s rapidly growing Asia business, Ahmad’s appointment will further strengthen the company’s leadership team for future growth in the region.
Ahmad said: “Asia has the fastest growing pool of assets, and we will focus on maximizing opportunities to ensure that Franklin Templeton is well positioned and becomes the go-to partner for our clients.”
Ahmad’s previous role as CEO of Brandywine Global will be assumed by John Tsao. Ahmad will continue in an advisory role with Brandywine Global to ensure continuity.
