Franklin Templeton MF announces change in key personnel

Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund has announced that Mr Neeraj Gaurh, assistant vice president (based at Chennai) has been appointed as the fund manager in Franklin equity team effective January 15, 2014.

Mr Neeraj Gaurh, 35 years old, is CFA, PGDM-Finance (IIM-Kozhikode), BE (Civil). He joined Franklin Templeton AMC in August 2010 as Research Analyst - Equities. He shall be responsible for managing investments in Foreign Securities for Franklin Equity Team. He also undertakes Equity Research on consumer, retail and auto component sectors.

Effective the date of Mr. Neeraj Gaurh's appointment as fund manager, he will be dedicated for making investments in Foreign Securities for Franklin Equity Team in place of Mr. Murali Krishna Yerram (currently for Franklin Asian Equity Fund, Franklin India Bluechip Fund, Franklin India Prima Fund, Franklin India Prima Plus, Franklin India Flexi Cap Fund, Franklin India Opportunities Fund, Franklin India High Growth Companies Fund, Franklin Build India Fund, Franklin Infotech Fund, Franklin India Index Fund, Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund and equity portions of FT India Monthly Income Plan and Franklin Templeton Fixed Tenure Fund - Series XII-Plan C & Plan XV).

Prior assignments:

Equity Research Analyst & Credit Analyst for Nomura Group (erstwhile Lehman Brothers Group) (2006 - 2010) - Responsible for Equity Research covering consumer sector for European markets and consumer and consumer related sector for Asian markets. Credit analysis covering food, beverage, consumer products and restaurants space in the U.S. high yield market.

Manager - Corporate Banking - ICICI Bank (2005 - 2006) - Preparation of credit proposals, getting approvals & periodic monitoring of the corporate clients.

Deputy Manager - Credit - Axis Bank (previously known as UTI Bank) (2004 - 2005) - Credit analysis of real estate and infrastructure companies.

Software Engineer - Tech Mahindra (previously known as Mahindra British Telecom) - (2000 - 2002) - Developing software applications.