Franklin Resources Inc. (NYSE: BEN), a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton, has made the talent acquisition of Aviva Investors’ U.S.-based investment grade credit team, including senior portfolio managers Josh Lohmeier and Michael Cho to join Franklin Templeton Fixed Income. In addition, Tom Meyers, previously Aviva’s Head of americas client solutions, will join FTFI in a newly created role as SVP, senior director of investments and strategy development, fixed income. Lohmeier and Meyers will report to Sonal Desai, CIO at FTFI, and the investment team will continue to report to Lohmeier.

“Bringing this experienced team aboard will complement our existing credit capabilities by further deepening our expertise in investment grade credit, strengthening our research and analysis resources, and expanding our strategy offerings and capabilities further into the institutional marketplace, with a special focus on defined benefit and liability-driven investing,” said Desai. “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.”

“I’m thrilled to continue to grow the substantial client interest we have seen in our investment grade credit strategy, now with Franklin Templeton,” said Lohmeier. “Portfolio construction sets the strategy apart from its peers and is a key driver of its non-correlation. Our time-tested process is designed to add value by creating a more efficient portfolio and allocating to the best credit ideas.”

“In the current environment, and especially within fixed income, we believe clients are looking for crisp differentiation and consistency,” said Meyers. “I look forward to working with Josh to continue to articulate the benefits of the investment grade credit strategies, and with the broader Franklin Templeton Fixed Income team in connecting clients with investment strategies that meet their diverse needs.”