With food security very much in focus because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as concerns about the impact of global warming, the appointment is an important one at the asset management group.

Franklin Templeton has appointed Patrick Vizzone as managing director and head of agri-food for its Asia-Pacific alternatives group, where he will lead private equity and venture capital investments in the sustainable agri-food sector globally.

Vizzone, who has more than 25 years of experience in the finance and agri-food industry, brings a track record in building and leading financial services franchises across Asia-Pacific. Based in Hong Kong, Vizzone will report to Jing Su Vivatrat, president and chief operating officer of Franklin Templeton’s Asia-Pacific alternatives group.

Previously, Vizzone served as international head of food, beverage and agri-business and head of Hong Kong coverage at ANZ Banking Group. Prior to that, he was Asian head of institutional banking and head of food and agri-business at National Australia Bank. He has served in senior leadership roles at Rabobank and GE Capital Asia-Pacific.

Vizzone has also been a senior advisor to Agfunder Inc, an agri-food tech insights and venture capital manager, since its inception in 2017. He served for 13 years as an independent non-executive director of China Agri-Industries, the Hong Kong-listed subsidiary of China’s COFCO Group.

Vizzone holds an AMP from Harvard Business School, an MBA from Manchester Business School and a BA in history and politics from Monash University.