Russon, who will join the Leeds-based UK equity team in mid-April, is expected to take on the lead manager role after a transition period. Hall will remain as fund manager, but his role will become more research- and analysis-centric.
Russon will also join the management team on the Franklin UK Managers Focus Fund, working alongside Hall, Colin Morton, Paul Spencer and Richard Bullas.
The new recruit joins the Franklin Templeton team from BNY Mellon (Newton), where he managed the Newton UK Opportunities Fund in addition to a segregated UK equity mandate for BNY Mellon.
Since Franklin Templeton took over Rensburg Fund Managers two years ago, the Leeds-based team has undergone some changes, including Paul Spencer and Richard Bullas becoming co-managers of the Franklin UK Smaller Companies Fund.
