Vice Chairman
Sir Robert Fairbairn is Vice Chairman and a member of BlackRock’s Global Executive Committee (GEC). He is responsible for key strategic relationships and initiatives with some of BlackRock’s largest, global clients.
Since joining the firm in 1993, Sir Robert has led many of BlackRock’s most important business divisions and served on the GEC since inception. His prior roles included Head of the Strategic Partner Program, Head of the Strategic Product Management Group, Global Head of Wealth Management and iShares, Head of the Global Client Group and Head of BlackRock’s International Business. Sir Robert also played a leading role in BlackRock’s mergers with Merrill Lynch investment Managers and Barclays Global Investors.
Sir Robert serves as a Director on the boards of BlackRock’s U.S mutual fund complexes and as Chair of BlackRock's UK Investment Trust business. While he continues to play a key role in talent development for the firm, he previously served as Co-Chair of the Human Capital Committee, the Talent Sub Committee of the GEC and the Managing Director Promotion Committee. He oversees the BlackRock Alumni Program, which launched in 2022.
Sir Robert is Vice Chair of the Campaign Board of Durham University.
He sits on the British American Business Advisory Board as well as the American Associates of the National Theatre Board. Sir Robert earned BA degrees in history, economics, and Russian studies from Durham University in 1987.
