Larry Fink

Larry Fink is an American businessman and the CEO of BlackRock, the world's largest asset management firm, which he co-founded in 1988. Born in 1952 in Los Angeles, Fink studied political science at UCLA and earned an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Early in his career, he worked at First Boston (now part of Credit Suisse), where he gained prominence for his work in mortgage-backed securities. However, a major financial loss in 1986 prompted him to leave the company and eventually co-found BlackRock with seven partners.

Under Fink’s leadership, BlackRock has grown significantly, managing assets for institutional and individual clients worldwide. Known for his advocacy of sustainable investing, Fink has used his annual letters to CEOs to emphasize corporate responsibility and the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. This position has made him a prominent voice in finance, urging companies to address climate change and societal challenges. However, he and BlackRock have also faced criticism from both climate activists and conservative groups, reflecting the complex balance between profitability and sustainability in large-scale finance.