BlackRock, world’s biggest asset manager, names European chief to head its Asia-Pacific business
- Rachel Lord joined BlackRock in 2013 after stints in Asia with Citigroup and Morgan Stanley
- Lord replaces Geraldine Buckingham, who is taking a senior adviser role
BlackRock, the world’s biggest asset manager, said on Tuesday that Rachel Lord, the head of its business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), will take over as the new chair of its Asia-Pacific operations beginning on May 1.
Pending regulatory approval, Lord will replace Geraldine Buckingham, who will remain with BlackRock as a senior adviser. Buckingham’s husband is Dominic Barton, the Canadian ambassador to China.
“The appointment of one of the firm’s strongest leaders to head up our APAC business underscores our commitment to this fast-growing region as a top strategic priority,” Mark Wiedman, BlackRock’s head of international and of corporate strategy, said in a statement.
Lord was named the head of BlackRock’s EMEA business in 2017, previously serving as EMEA head of iShares and head of its global clients, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and index investments operations. She joined BlackRock in 2013 after stints in Asia with both Citigroup and Morgan Stanley.
She takes over the Asia-Pacific business as BlackRock said it will use its dominance in asset management to pressure companies to address climate change and social issues, such as gender diversity on boards in the region.