Franklin Templeton makes senior hire for Head of Germany and Austria role

London and Frankfurt, 5 February 2025 – Franklin Templeton¹ is pleased to announce the appointment of Christian Machts as Head of Germany and Austria, effective 1 June 2025.  Based in Frankfurt, Machts will be responsible for leading the region, driving local strategy and partnering with clients to deliver investment solutions.  The region collectively represents approximately $35 billion² of assets under management.  He succeeds Stefan Bauer, the current incumbent for the role who will retire from Franklin Templeton in late 2025.  Machts and Bauer will work closely to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.

Machts will report to Matthew Harrison, Head of Americas (ex-US), Europe & UK who said: “I am delighted to welcome Christian as the new Head of Germany and Austria, and I look forward to working closely with him in future.  With his extensive experience and proven track record over the last two decades, we are confident he will drive growth and strengthen our presence in these two markets.  An experienced leader, his deep understanding of the financial landscape and his ability to navigate fundamental changes in our industry, positions him well to deliver on our strategy to meet the needs of clients locally.  In addition, I would like to thank Stefan for his contributions and dedication to the firm over the last 10 years and wish him well in his retirement.”

Machts added: "I am thrilled to join one of the world’s largest global asset managers at an exciting juncture in its history. I look forward to leveraging my expertise to further Franklin Templeton’s business in Germany and Austria.  The firm is highly respected and has a strong reputation given it’s 75-year-history in offering a diverse and innovative range of investment solutions across traditional and alternative asset classes."

Machts joins from Fidelity International, where he held various leadership positions, including Head of Wholesale for Germany, Austria & Eastern Europe and most recently as Head of Central Europe.  Prior to Fidelity International he worked for BlackRock as the firm’s Head of Retail for Germany, Austria & Eastern Europe for six years. Before that he held various leadership roles at Commerzbank AG including Head of EMEA Sales – Asset Management.

Machts holds two bank management diplomas and is also a Certified European Financial Analyst (CEFA).

Franklin Templeton has a longstanding commitment to the German and Austrian markets since 1992.  The firm was one of the first global asset manager to open offices in Frankfurt.  Over the last 33 years, Franklin Templeton has expanded its offering to give clients access to the full breadth of its investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. The company offers specialisation on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. As a forward-thinking asset manager, Franklin Templeton believes that success requires more than just expertise, it demands powerful partnerships.  Therefore, the focus is on building dynamic relationships with clients, understand their unique goals, and navigate the complexities of the market together. Its Specialist Investment Managers leverage cutting-edge strategies and deep industry insights to protect wealth and unlock opportunities for growth.

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Contacts:

Oliver Trenk Sr. Regional Corporate Communications Manager Franklin Templeton Tel: +49 69 272 23 718 Email: [email protected]

Dorine Johnson Head of Corporate Communications EMEA Franklin Templeton Tel: + 44 207 073 8538 Email: [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

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 $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of 31 December 2024. For more information, please visit www.franklintempleton.co.uk and follow us on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
2. Source: Franklin Templeton as of 31 December 2024.

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