Small cap manager quits Franklin Templeton for Pioneer

Pioneer Investments has hired small and mid-cap specialist David Glazer from Franklin Templeton as it aims to strengthen its global equities team.

Glazer joined Pioneer’s global equities team in its Boston office on December 31 and reports to Marco Pirondini, head of equities in the US for the company.

Prior to joining Pioneer, Glazer worked at Franklin Templeton's New York office for eight years where he served as co-manager alongside former Citywire AAA-rated manager Edwin Lugo on two small and mid-cap specific strategies.

First he was named a co-lead on the Franklin European Small-Mid Cap Growth fund in August 2007 and then he succeeded John P Callaghan as Lugo’s co-manager on the Franklin Global Small-Mid Cap Growth fund in March 2008.

Commenting on the appointment, Pirondini said: ‘David brings a wealth of experience to Pioneer Investments and serves as an important asset to the growth of our global equities team.’

‘Moving forward, David will be critical to shaping and guiding important investment decisions within the team, while maintaining our commitment to value investing.’

Glazer brings with him over twelve years of experience as an equity professional, including analysing domestic and international equities. He had previously held positions at Boston Common Asset Management and Harbor Capital Management.

The Franklin European Small-Mid Cap Growth fund has returned 35.85% over the past three years. This compares to its Citywire benchmark, the MSCI Europe Small Cap TR USD, which rose 40.68% over the same period.

Meanwhile, the Franklin Global Small-Mid Cap Growth fund rose 46.75% in the three years to the end of November 2012. This compares to the MSCI World Small Cap TR USD, its Citywire benchmark, which rose 59.69% over the same period.