Mark Mobius retires from Franklin Templeton

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Some of you may not know him. Never mind! After 30 years with the firm and at the age of 81, Mark Mobius, chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group, has announced his plans to retire from the firm on 31 January.

“Mobius has been an investor through historically transformational times in emerging markets and later frontier markets,” chairman and CEO Greg Johnson said in a statement. “Over the last three decades, Mobius has built a team of talented research analysts and portfolio managers around the world, and has generously shared his experiences with an audience that spans the globe.”

Mobius first joined the firm in 1987 to oversee the firm’s emerging markets team and launched one of the first emerging markets-focused mutual funds, according to the statement. He led the emerging markets team until 2016. At the time, the firm appointed Stephen Dover as chief investment officer of the Templeton Emerging Markets Group and Mobius transitioned the day-to-day management of the group to Dover.

Early last year, Mobius stood down from the fund management duties on a range of 12 Luxembourg Sicavs. However, he continued to be involved in the investment processes of the funds, participating in the firm’s research efforts and company visits.

Most recently, Mobius’ primary responsibility has been focused on serving as an external spokesperson for the group, sharing macro views on emerging markets.

I have great respect for a man like Mark Mobius. I managed to ask Mark Mobius some questions on markets at an event a couple of years ago. At the time of writing this, I do not have any exposure to the Franklin Templeton’s range of funds. However, that could change in the next global equity market correction.

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