Franklin Templeton has appointed Rene Buehlmann as Head of Asia Pacific, effective September 21, 2026. He will oversee the global asset manager’s operations and growth strategy across markets in the region.
In the role, Buehlmann will be responsible for strategic growth initiatives, client engagement and business development across Asia Pacific. Franklin Templeton has more than 2,600 employees in the region, with operations spanning Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Japan, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, Australia and other markets.
Buehlmann brings more than 35 years of experience across asset management, wealth management and banking, having worked in Switzerland, the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Most recently, he advised KKR on the assessment of potential acquisition opportunities in the wealth and asset management sector. Before that, he served as Global Chief Executive Officer of Aberdeen Investments, where he led its global investment business and oversaw the Asia Pacific region.
Earlier in his career, Buehlmann spent nearly three decades at UBS, including 15 years in Asia Pacific. During his tenure, he held several senior wealth and asset management roles, including Head of Asset Management Asia Pacific, and was a member of the regional Executive Committee.
Daniel Gamba, Co-President and Chief Commercial Officer, Franklin Templeton, said, “The appointment of Rene reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to growing our leadership team 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.”
Rene Buehlmann, Head of Asia Pacific, Franklin Templeton, said, “I am delighted to join Franklin Templeton and lead the Asia Pacific business at such an exciting time for the firm and the region. Franklin Templeton has built a highly differentiated global platform, further strengthened in recent years through the expansion of its ETF, private markets and digital asset capabilities.”
He further added, “Asia Pacific offers tremendous growth opportunities, and I look forward to working with our talented teams to deepen client relationships, deliver the full breadth of our platform across the region, and help investors achieve their long-term financial goals.”
