Franklin Templeton appoints sustainability VP

Global investment manager, Franklin Templeton, has appointed James Andrus to the newly created role of Vice President of Sustainability Global Markets.

Taking on the leadership role of the firm’s Global Sustainability Strategy team, Andrus will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of sustainability and stewardship initiatives and acting as a spokesperson with clients, organisations, stakeholders and policymakers.

By also managing the team, he will oversee the implenmentaion of the firm’s global sustainable investment strategy, work with the Global Public Policy team and report to Anne Simpson, Franklin Templeton’s Global Head of Sustainability.

“James is deeply experienced in corporate governance and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the effective management of financial, human and natural capital to Franklin Templeton,” Simpson said.

“We are committed to building dedicated resources as the profound evolution and increasing complexities related to sustainable investing continue in the industry globally. I am delighted for James to join our growing team as we accelerate our efforts in this important area.”

Based in California, Andrus joins the investment manager from the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), where he was the Interim Managing Investment Director for Sustainable Investing and oversaw its strategy across its US$443 billion portfolio. He also previously spent time as a partner at global law firm, K&L Gates.

“I am excited by the opportunity to join Franklin Templeton, a world-renowned global investment firm with dynamic leaders, at an important point in time to focus on sustainability,” Andrus said.

“I look forward to adding value by advancing the sustainable investment priorities and contributing directly to global regulation and policy initiatives while emphasising enhanced financial information.”

Andrus is a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Investor Advisory Committee, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Investor Advisory Group, Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (FASAC) and the International Financial Reporting Standards Advisory Council, and is co-chair of the Financial Capital Committee of the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN).