James Andrus, who recently retired from CalPERS, is joining Franklin Templeton in the new position of vice president of sustainability global markets, a news release said.
Mr. Andrus' official start date was Monday, spokesman Travis Fishstein said in an email.
Until his retirement March 18, Mr. Andrus was interim managing investment director for board governance and sustainability at the $442.9 billion California Public Employees' Retirement System, Sacramento. Mr. Andrus was financial market strategist before being named to the interim post in January 2022 after Anne Simpson left CalPERS to join Franklin Templeton as global head of sustainability.
At Franklin Templeton, Mr. Andrus will report to Ms. Simpson.
"James is deeply experienced in corporate governance and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the effective management of financial, human and natural capital to Franklin Templeton," Ms. Simpson said in the news release. "I am delighted for James to join our growing team as we accelerate our efforts in this important area."
Mr. Andrus is the third high-profile former CalPERS official to join Franklin Templeton in recent years. Yu "Ben" Meng, who had been CalPERS' CIO, joined Franklin Templeton in 2021 as executive vice president and chairman of Asia-Pacific. Mr. Meng had resigned from CalPERS in August 2020.
Franklin Templeton had $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of Feb. 28.