BlackRock is making changes at the top as the $6.4 trillion manager continues its pivot towards Asia-Pacific
- US global investment giant BlackRock has appointed Geraldine Buckingham as chair and head of BlackRock Asia Pacific, as the $6.4 trillion manager continues its Asia-Pacific pivot.
- Buckingham, global head of corporate strategy at BlackRock, will succeed Ryan Stork from February 2019.
- The shift comes as BlackRock continues to consider Asia-Pacific as one of its "most critical priorities", according to chairman and CEO Larry Fink.
US global investment giant BlackRock has appointed Geraldine Buckingham as chair and head of BlackRock Asia Pacific, as the $6.4 trillion manager continues its Asia-Pacific pivot.
Buckingham formerly served as senior managing director and head of corporate strategy, and will now be placed at the center of BlackRock's Asia-Pacific push.
Buckingham replaces current APAC chair and senior managing director Ryan Stork who will now be the company's deputy global chief operating officer.
The move comes as BlackRock continues to consider the Asia-Pacificas "one of BlackRock's most critical priorities," chairman and chief executive Larry Fink said in a letter to shareholders.
BlackRock is in the process of massively augmenting its so-called investor-stewardship initiative, with Barbara Novick, a vice chairman who helped found BlackRock, leading a push that will double the team over the next three years.
In August, the investment giant closed out its Asia-Pacific Private Credit Opportunities Fund, which is keeping an eye on potentially opportunistic investing in distressed deals in appropriate APAC countries, including India, Indonesia, and Australia.
"We aim to have a truly local presence in Asia so we can respond to the unique needs, objectives, and cultures of our clients in each market," Fink said in his statement.
Such is the sway of a BlackRock on the move, Fink brought this year's annual DAVOS economic forum at the Swiss Alps to a grinding halt by sending a letter to global CEO's asking simply if their companies can "describe their strategy for long-term growth."
Both appointments come into effect in February.