San Mateo, CA-based Franklin Templeton Investments has appointed Andrew Ashton and Dennis Rothe to new roles overseeing consultant/gatekeeper relations and investment research for its international and North America advisory divisions respectively.

Ashton, head of the international consultant and research group, will focus on the firm’s global consulting partners and financial institutions outside of North America, working with Franklin Templeton distribution teams internationally.

Effective from August, he will move from his current role as senior director for central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, to his new position. He will report to Jed Plafker, president of Franklin Templeton International and head of international advisory services.

The firm said Ashton will work closely with Rothe, head of the North American consultant and research group. 

Rothe was appointed to an expanded role overseeing consultant relations and investment research for broker-dealers, retirement platforms and insurance companies across North America. He reports to Peter Jones, president of Franklin Templeton Distributors and Franklin Templeton Institutional.

As of August, Adam Quaife will become senior director for central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, replacing Ashton in that role. Quaife - latterly sales director and head of institutional for Franklin Templeton Investments Australia - will report to Vivek Kudva, managing director for those regions, plus India.