Franklin Templeton makes ESG hire from CalPERS

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.

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