Martin Currie, the UK-listed equity fund manager, has appointed Matthew Franklin to lead global industrials and utilities research.

Franklin previously spent 15 years at Schroders, initially covering emerging markets and then US-listed industrials and utilities. Schroders made him a global sector specialist for industrial and materials stocks in 2005.

On joining Martin Currie’s 14-strong sector research team at the end of next month, he will report to research director Jamie Mariani.

Franklin succeeds Bruce MacDonald, senior investment analyst for industrials and utilities research, who is taking up a new role with Pyramis in Hong Kong.

In other recent developments, earlier this month Martin Currie unveiled its European Equity Income Fund, under the management of Ross Watson.

As a multi-cap portfolio comprised of 40 to 60 stocks, the fund invests primarily in equities of companies listed in continental Europe. 

Watson, a senior investment director for Martin Currie, has over 20 years of experience in running equity-income portfolios and currently manages over £300 million ($476 million) in a range of income strategies for institutional clients.