Franklin Templeton has acquired Aviva Investors’ (Aviva) US-based investment grade credit team.
This includes senior portfolio managers Josh Lohmeier and Michael Cho, who will join Franklin Templeton Fixed Income (FTFI).
In addition, Tom Meyers, previously Aviva’s head of Americas client solutions, will join FTFI in the newly created role of SVP, senior director of investments and strategy development, fixed income.
The investment grade credit team currently manages over $7.5 billion in institutional assets under management at Aviva, across its suite of credit strategies. This includes US investment grade credit, US long duration credit, US long duration government and credit, and US intermediate credit, with additional customised versions of each strategy for various institutional clients.
Franklin Templeton Fixed Income has $156 billion in assets under management, with approximately $13 billion in corporate credit strategies. The firm’s existing corporate credit research team comprises 31 investment professionals, organized by region.
Mr Lohmeier brings more than 18 years of investment management industry experience, including 12 years as a portfolio manager. He has served as head of US investment grade credit and portfolio implementation for fixed income at Aviva Investors and investment officer for the North American Region
Prior to joining Aviva, Mr Lohmeier worked for AllianceBernstein and American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company as an investment grade portfolio manager.
Mr Meyers will lead a newly formed team that will be responsible for representing FTFI’s global fixed income investment strategies. He will help set the strategy for engagement with clients, prospects, and intermediaries to discuss FTFI’s investment philosophy, process and performance.
He has over 35 years of experience in the investment management industry. During his extensive career, he has served as executive director, head of Americas client solutions for Aviva, leading client solutions efforts covering the institutional market and sub-advisor relationships.
Prior to joining Aviva, Mr Meyers was managing senior investment director at Legal and General Investment Management America where he launched its institutional efforts in the US. Mr Meyers has also held senior distribution and investment positions at Seix Investment Advisors, Phoenix Investment Partners and Conseco Capital Management.
Mr Lohmeier and Mr Meyers will both report to Sonal Desai, CIO at FTFI.
The CIO said: “I look forward to working with Josh and the team to bolster and differentiate our investment grade credit offerings, and with Tom to bring this messaging to our clients and consultants, especially in the institutional arena.”
