Building meaningful partnerships to meet long-term client goals

Matt Harrison is the Head of Americas (ex-US), Europe & UK at Franklin Templeton. In his role, he collaborates closely with teams across these regions to develop and execute strategies that best serve the firm’s clients and drive growth. Previously, as Co-Head of APAC, he was responsible for steering the firm’s success  in the Asia-Pacific region. Matthew brings over 25 years of experience and has held various senior roles in the asset management and wealth management sectors.

1. Please tell us about your new role.

Matt Harrison: My role involves leading our business and a client-focused team that delivers a broad range of investment solutions and first-class service across Europe, the UK and the Americas (excluding the US). Our primary goal is to deepen our client relationships by understanding their unique needs and providing innovative, high-quality investment capabilities and solutions beyond investing that align with their objectives. This role enables me to leverage Franklin Templeton’s extensive resources and expertise across regions, ensuring that we consistently exceed expectations in a rapidly changing market environment.

2. A number of key trends are impacting the asset management industry. What unique opportunities do you see for Franklin Templeton in Europe and the UK?

Matt Harrison: Franklin Templeton is well-positioned to seize unique opportunities in Europe and the UK by focusing on building genuine, long-term partnerships with our clients. As the industry evolves, areas like technology and solutions beyond traditional asset classes, within private markets for instance, offer significant potential for creating added value. Our strategy is centred  on delivering investment excellence, building strong partnerships and being a leader in innovation. By concentrating on these key areas, we help our clients navigate market complexities and achieve their financial objectives over the long term.

3. Given your experience across regions, do you see any similarities or distinct differences?

Matt Harrison: Throughout my career, I’ve observed that while investors across different regions share a common focus on achieving their goals, the approaches to these objectives can vary widely. One consistent similarity is the unwavering dedication of our teams to client service and their passion for delivering Franklin Templeton’s offerings. This commitment is a global hallmark of our firm. However, it’s equally important to respect and adapt to the unique local regulatory environments and cultural nuances in each region.  By doing so, we can offer solutions that are both globally informed and locally relevant, ensuring that we meet our clients’ needs effectively no matter where they are.

4. With Franklin Templeton’s acquisitions over the past few years, are there specific initiatives or capabilities you think clients should be more aware of?

Matt Harrison: Franklin Templeton has significantly expanded its capabilities in recent years, particularly in areas such as alternatives and digital innovation. These acquisitions enable us to offer a wider array of investment options, including alternative strategies that can diversify portfolios and potentially enhance returns. Additionally, we have always been a pioneer and early adopter of technology and innovation partly due to our nearness to the Silicon Valley. Our advancements in digital innovation are improving the client experience, providing new ways to engage with and manage investments.

Also, the evolving regulatory landscape allows us to make these solutions accessible more broadly, where previously they have only been available to institutional investors. It is one of our main aims to enable our clients to gain a deeper understanding of these capabilities, as they represent some of the most exciting areas of growth within our firm.

5. Lastly, you have recently relocated to the UK. How are you finding it and is there anything you miss the most?

Matt Harrison: Relocating to the UK has been a rewarding experience, though it came with its challenges. My family and I took some time to find our rhythm, but now that we have settled in, we are enjoying everything the UK has to offer. Of course, there are things I miss from Australia, like the typical Aussie BBQs, the great coffee and being close to family and friends. However, we are embracing this new chapter and are excited about the opportunities that living in the UK presents.

The views expressed are the views of the portfolio manager and do not constitute investment advice.