Franklin Templeton makes ESG hire from CalPERS

Franklin Templeton makes ESG hire from CalPERS
James Andrus had been at the pension system since 2014 and most recently served as its interim managing investment director for sustainable investing.
MAR 27, 2023

Franklin Templeton has hired a sustainable investing leader from CalPERS to fill a new role at the firm, the company announced last week.

James Andrus, who had been the interim managing investment director for sustainable investing for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, is now vice president of sustainability global markets at Franklin Templeton. At CalPERS, Andrus had overseen sustainable investing for the pension system’s $443 billion portfolio.

In the new role, Andrus will continue to be based in California, charged with “execution of Franklin Templeton’s sustainability and stewardship initiatives and serve as an advocate and spokesperson with clients, external organizations, policymakers, regulators and internal stakeholders,” according to the firm’s announcement.

Andrus will manage the firm’s global sustainability strategy team, including hiring to fill new roles in data, content, stewardship and product, the company said. He reports to Franklin Templeton global head of sustainability Anne Simpson, who had also previously worked for CalPERS.

Prior to his experience at the pension system, where he started in 2014, Andrus was a partner at law firm K&L Gates.

Latest News

Investing for accountability: How to frame a values-driven conversation with clients
Investing for accountability: How to frame a values-driven conversation with clients

By listening for what truly matters and where clients want to make a difference, advisors can avoid politics and help build more personal strategies.

Advisor moves: Raymond James ends week with $1B Commonwealth recruitment streak
Advisor moves: Raymond James ends week with $1B Commonwealth recruitment streak

JPMorgan and RBC have also welcomed ex-UBS advisors in Texas, while Steward Partners and SpirePoint make new additions in the Sun Belt.

Cook Lawyer says fraud claims are Trump’s ‘weapon of choice’
Cook Lawyer says fraud claims are Trump’s ‘weapon of choice’

Counsel representing Lisa Cook argued the president's pattern of publicly blasting the Fed calls the foundation for her firing into question.

SEC orders Vanguard, Empower to pay more than $25M over failures linked to advisor compensation
SEC orders Vanguard, Empower to pay more than $25M over failures linked to advisor compensation

The two firms violated the Advisers Act and Reg BI by making misleading statements and failing to disclose conflicts to retail and retirement plan investors, according to the regulator.

RIA moves: Wells Fargo pair joins &Partners in Virginia
RIA moves: Wells Fargo pair joins &Partners in Virginia

Elsewhere, two breakaway teams from Morgan Stanley and Merrill unite to form a $2 billion RIA, while a Texas-based independent merges with a Bay Area advisory practice.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.