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

Advisor moves: Raymond James lands $1.25B team as Merrill loses two
Advisor moves: Raymond James lands $1.25B team as Merrill loses two

Iowa's Greenwood Wealth Partners exits D.M. Kelly as UBS and Ameriprise win Merrill Lynch recruits in California and Florida

Never a losing day: CFTC alleges $950 million forex Ponzi scheme
Never a losing day: CFTC alleges $950 million forex Ponzi scheme

Less than 1% of pool funds went to actual trading, CFTC says

Fintech bytes: Northwestern Mutual picks Jump for enterprise AI
Fintech bytes: Northwestern Mutual picks Jump for enterprise AI

Plus, SEIA builds a governed data foundation for its in-house AI and Snappy Kraken debuts a read-only marketing coworker for advisors.

People moves: AllianceBernstein names Onur Erzan as next CEO
People moves: AllianceBernstein names Onur Erzan as next CEO

Broadridge, Wedbush and Alaris Acquisitions have also filled senior wealth management roles with hires from J.P. Morgan, Osaic and SageView.

SPONSORED In the Age of AI, Trust Becomes the Advisor's Greatest Asset

As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains