Franklin Templeton Investments Australia Ltd. has hired Joe Marassa as head of marketing.

Marassa joined the company last month and is working from Templeton’s Sydney office. He previously worked at Colonial First State and ING Investment Management where he was head of marketing.

“This appointment is another important step in our broader plans to expand distribution and market efforts,” says Franklin Templeton’s Australian managing director Maria Wilton, in a statement.

The company has hired 11 people this year to make investments, distribute Templeton products and manage its operations. In Australia the firm manages about $16 billion and employs 53 people.