Franklin Templeton Investments has appointed George Szemere as its new Head of Alternative Sales, EMEA.
Based in London, Szemere joins Franklin Templeton with immediate effect from Columbia Threadneedle, where he was most recently Head of Liquid Alternatives and Global Strategic Relations EMEA Distribution.
Reporting to Vivek Kudva, Managing Director for EMEA and India, Szemere will be responsible for growing Franklin Templeton’s alternative business in the EMEA region. He will also partner closely with the various alternative investment groups, product and distribution teams to generate new product ideas and solutions to meet the needs of the firm’s institutional and retail clients in the region.
Szemere spent over 10 years at Columbia Threadneedle where he held various positions including serving as Specialist Sales for Switzerland and the UK; and Client Portfolio Manager, Alternatives. Prior to that, he worked for ABN AMRO Asset Management and Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science with honours in Economics from the University of Birmingham. He is also a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and Chapter Executive.
Vivek Kudva says: “I am delighted to welcome George on board and look forward to working closely with him. He brings over 18 years’ experience in the asset management industry combining sales, relationship management, product development and leadership skills which will be greatly additive as we further develop our alternative business in the EMEA region.”
Franklin Templeton’s alternatives capabilities include private equity, hedge, commodities, real estate, infrastructure and venture capital strategies from Darby Overseas Investments, Franklin Real Asset Advisors, Franklin Venture Partners, K2 Advisors, Pelagos Capital Management, Templeton Global Macro and Templeton Private Equity Partners.