(Pictured: James Savage )

Franklin Templeton has expanded its Australian team with the recruitment of James Savage as head of institutional sales. Savage, an experienced quant-orientated manager, should add some grunt to the firm’s traditional asset management capabilities.

His new role is as ‘senior manager, institutional sales’, reporting to Keri Pratt. She said the role reflected the company’s “growing presence with global and local investment teams in fixed interest, equities, real estate and multi-asset solutions”.

Prior to joining Franklin Templeton, Savage worked for boutique manager Tribeca Investment Partners as head of institutional sales for eight years. Before that he set up the performance measurement department at State Street Australia, followed by business development roles at MLC and Credit Suisse.

Savage said: “I am looking forward to working with Franklin Templeton investment professionals across all asset classes and multi-style strategies on behalf of our institutional client relationships.”

Maria Wilton, the managing director of Franklin Templeton in Australia, said: “Diversification across investment capabilities and market segments is an important part of our long-term business strategy… Following the acquisition of Australian equity manager Balanced Equity Management in 2011, K2 Advisors in 2012 and adding Australian fixed income specialists this year, it is important to have the right team in place to meet the demands of our clients and address the growth opportunities we are seeing.”