Franklin Templeton announced the appointment of Patrick Vizzone as Managing Director and Head of Agri-Food for its Asia Pacific alternatives group. In this role, Vizzone will lead private equity and venture capital investments in the sustainable agri-food sector globally.
Vizzone is a finance and agri-food industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience. He brings along a successful 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 COO of Franklin Templeton’s Asia Pacific alternatives group.
Commenting on Vizzone’s appointment, Vivatrat mentioned: “Patrick’s extensive experience and expertise in the agri-food arena, as well as his experience in M&A and venture investments, will be a tremendous asset as we continue to build out our multi-strategy alternatives platform in Asia Pacific, which has a strong focus on sustainability.”
Dr. Ben Meng, Chairman of Asia Pacific at Franklin Templeton, added: “Food security is increasingly a central economic and geo-political concern which will re-orient the global economy with long-lasting investment implications. Patrick’s appointment further underscores our overall commitment to the Asia Pacific region, particularly across sustainability-focused agri-food and technology private equity and other alternative asset capabilities.”
Prior to this, Vizzone served as International Head of Food, Beverage and Agribusiness and Head of Hong Kong Coverage at ANZ Banking Group. Prior to that, he was Asian Head of Institutional Banking and Head of Food & Agribusiness at National Australia Bank. He has also held senior leadership roles at Rabobank and GE Capital Asia-Pacific where he advised leading agri-food corporates on cross-border M&A, business strategy and corporate finance.
Vizzone also served as a senior advisor to Agfunder Inc, one of the world’s leading agri-food tech insights and venture capital managers, since its inception in 2017. He also served for 13 years as an Independent Non-Executive Director of China Agri-Industries, the Hong Kong listed subsidiary of China’s COFCO Group, China’s largest agri-food enterprise, where he helped oversee billions of dollars of investments and divestments.
In addition, Vizzone is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Fresh Produce Association, where he sits on the Executive Committee as Secretary-Treasurer.
On his appointment as Managing Director and Head of Agri-Food at Franklin Templeton’s Asia Pacific alternatives group, Vizzone expressed: “I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to join the Franklin Templeton family, and have long respected the firm’s client-centric culture and commitment to sustainability. I look forward to contributing to the next stage of growth in the firm’s Asia Pacific alternatives capabilities.”
Vizzone holds an AMP from Harvard Business School, MBA from Manchester Business School and B.A. in History and Politics from Monash University.