johardy06/08/2026 - 11:24 by JOHARDY IBRAHIM editor@dagangnews.com KUALA LUMPUR Aug. 6 – Franklin Templeton has appointed veteran wealth and asset management executive Rene Buehlmann as Head of Asia Pacific, effective Sept. 21, 2026 as the global asset manager strengthens its leadership team to accelerate growth across one of its most important markets.
Buehlmann will oversee Franklin Templeton's business across the Asia Pacific region, leading the firm's strategic growth initiatives, client engagement and business development efforts across its diverse markets.
The appointment comes as Franklin Templeton continues to expand its presence in Asia Pacific, where it employs more than 2,600 people across Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Japan, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, Australia and other regional markets.
Buehlmann brings more than 35 years of experience in wealth management, asset management and banking, having held senior leadership positions across Switzerland, the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Most recently, he advised global investment firm KKR on strategic acquisition opportunities in the wealth and asset management industry.
Prior to that, he served as Global Chief Executive Officer of Aberdeen Investments, where he led the firm's global investment business while overseeing its Asia Pacific operations.
Leadership experience spans three decades at UBS
Before joining Aberdeen Investments, Buehlmann spent nearly 30 years with UBS, including 15 years in Asia Pacific. During his tenure, he held several senior leadership roles in wealth and asset management, including Head of Asset Management Asia Pacific and a seat on the bank's regional Executive Committee.
Franklin Templeton Co-President and Chief Commercial Officer Daniel Gamba said the appointment reflects the firm's continued commitment to strengthening its leadership capabilities and investing in Asia Pacific.
"Rene is a highly respected industry leader with deep client relationships, extensive regional experience and a proven track record of building high-performing teams and delivering growth.
"His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to expand our capabilities and strengthen our partnerships with clients across the region," he said in a statement today.
Focus on expanding regional growth
Buehlmann said he was delighted to join Franklin Templeton at a time when both the firm and the Asia Pacific region present significant growth opportunities.
He said Franklin Templeton has built a differentiated global investment platform that has been further strengthened through the expansion of its exchange-traded fund (ETF), private markets and digital asset capabilities.
He added that he looks forward to working with the firm's regional teams to deepen client relationships, broaden access to its investment platform and help investors achieve their long-term financial goals.
Beyond his corporate leadership experience, Buehlmann is recognised as a strong advocate for talent development, cultural diversity and inclusive leadership, having lived and worked across four continents. He is known for building high-performing teams and creating environments where individuals can reach their full potential.
He holds a TRIUM Global Executive MBA jointly awarded by New York University, the London School of Economics and HEC Paris. He is also a Swiss-certified banking expert with a Federal Diploma and has completed executive education programmes at IMD and Columbia Business School. - DagangNews.com
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