Larry Fink

Laurence D. Fink is one of the most powerful figures in global finance, primarily known as the co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. He began his career at First Boston in 1976, where he pioneered the market for mortgage-backed securities, achieving massive success before a trading error led to his departure in 1988. This experience emphasized the critical importance of risk management, which became the foundational principle when he co-founded BlackRock later that same year. Under Fink's leadership, BlackRock grew from a small bond-focused boutique into a trillion-dollar powerhouse, primarily through strategic acquisitions (notably Barclays Global Investors in 2009, which brought iShares ETFs) and its advanced risk management software, Aladdin. Fink has transitioned from purely financial leadership to being a major philosophical voice in global capitalism. Through his highly influential annual letters to CEOs, he advocates for 'stakeholder capitalism,' arguing that companies must focus not just on profit but also on purpose and the long-term societal well-being of their employees, communities, and the environment. He has positioned BlackRock as a major force in the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) movement, often facing both praise and criticism for the firm's influence.

• •BlackRock's proprietary risk management software, which Fink considers central to the firm’s identity, is named Aladdin.
• •Fink was responsible for running the bond department at First Boston when a $100 million loss led to his departure, an event he credits with teaching him the importance of robust risk analysis.
• •BlackRock manages more assets than the entire GDP of every country except the US and China.