Dubai, UAE – Franklin Templeton1 is pleased to announce the appointment of Gaurav Sharma as Solutions Portfolio Manager, CEEMEA for Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions (FTIS). Based in Dubai, Sharma will report to Peter Vincent, Head of Client Solutions, CEEMEA, Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions.

In his new position, Sharma will play a key role in client engagement and the development of tailored investment solutions, leveraging his extensive multi-asset knowledge to support portfolio construction, business development, and client relationship management across institutional, retail, and digital channels within Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region.

“I am delighted to welcome Gaurav to Franklin Templeton, and I look forward to working closely with him,” said Vincent, “He joins us at a pivotal time when we are witnessing a significant rise in demand for custom investment strategies across the region. Gaurav’s deep expertise in multi-asset solutions will be invaluable as he partners closely with our distribution teams/business partners to support the growth of tailored multi-asset solutions across key markets.”

Sandeep Singh, Head of Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India at Franklin Templeton, said, “Hiring locally for the investment solutions team underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional investment strategies and growing our solutions and Outsourced CIO business in the region. Gaurav will work closely with our teams on strategic partnerships, including our recent end-of-service gratuity initiative.”

Sharma commented “Franklin Templeton is a respected global asset manager with scale and resources.  In the Middle East, the firm is known for being an early entrant within the global asset management industry, having operated in the region for approximately 25 years and serving some of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, central banks, family offices and global private banks based locally.  It is an exciting time to join the firm, and I am looking forward to contributing to the company’s success in the region.”

Sharma joins Franklin Templeton from Standard Chartered Bank, where he served as Investments Director, Middle East. In that role, he was responsible for the bank’s managed investments strategy, product lifecycle management, and the launch of the first feeder fund solutions in the UAE. Prior to SCB, Sharma held various roles over the last decade working for regional and international Financial Services companies. He holds an MBA from S P Jain Center of Management and a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication from YMCA Institute of Engineering. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.

FTIS is a leader in multi-asset, quantitative, and hedged solutions, leveraging a global network of investment teams to offer innovative and diversified strategies. With a focus on long-term investing, the investment team combines deep research, active management, and data-driven insights to create solutions which seek to meet the evolving needs of investors worldwide.  The investment manager is part of Franklin Templeton, one of the largest independent asset managers globally with offices in major financial markets, serving clients in more than 150 countries, and managing approximately $1.58 trillion in assets as of 31January 2025. The firm established its presence in the region over 20 years ago, setting up in the UAE in 2000 and opened its Riyadh office in March 2024.  

For more information please visit: https://www.ftinstitutionalemea.com/

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Contacts:

Sarah Aziz
Corporate Communications Manager
Franklin Templeton
The Gate, East wing, Level 2
Dubai Financial Centre
Dubai UAE
Email: sarah.aziz@franklintempleton.com

Asaad Masri
Kekst CNC
Senior Consultant
Email: asaad.masri@kekstcnc.com

About Franklin Templeton

  1. Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organisation with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialisation on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and approximately $1.58 trillion in assets under management as of 31 January 2025. For more information, please visit https://www.ftinstitutionalemea.com/.
  2. The firm established its presence in the region over 20 years ago, setting up in the UAE in 2000. The office in Dubai is now the hub for Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA), supporting retail and institutional investors across the region including some of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, central banks, family offices and global private banks based locally. Building on this established regional presence, Franklin Templeton further expanded its commitment to the Middle East with the opening of its Riyadh office in March 2024.

This press release is intended to be of general interest only and does not constitute professional advice. Franklin Templeton and its management groups have exercised professional care and diligence in the collection and processing of the information in this press release. Franklin Templeton makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of this document. Franklin Templeton shall not be liable to any user of this report or to any other person or entity for the inaccuracy of information contained in this press release or for any errors or omissions in its contents, regardless of the cause of such inaccuracy, error or omission.

Any research and analysis contained in this document has been procured by Franklin Templeton for its own purposes.

Please consult your financial advisor before deciding to invest.

Issued by Franklin Templeton Investments (ME) Limited, authorized and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

Dubai office: Franklin Templeton Investments, The Gate, East Wing, Level 2, Dubai International Financial Centre, P.O. Box 506613, Dubai, U.A.E.

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Franklin Templeton Investments (ME) Limited is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority