BlackRock in Europe

Our purpose at BlackRock is to help people experience financial well-being. We support our clients, and the people they serve, in saving for the things that are important to them, like retirement, paying for their children’s education, buying homes or starting businesses. And we’ve been doing just that in Europe for more than 25 years, and in more than 25 European countries.

My 1,700 colleagues across Europe have deep local expertise, and they work on a global platform using cutting-edge technology. On behalf of European clients, we invest over 1 trillion euros in a wide spectrum of assets – ranging from tech companies, government bonds to infrastructure opportunities that support the use and production of renewable energy.

That’s how we help people from all walks of life and every part of Europe – teachers, doctors and small business owners – to make smart investments. Investments that aim to deliver robust returns, and also drive innovation, jobs and positive social impact.

At BlackRock, we support initiatives that increase financial market transparency, protect investors and enable European capital markets to grow. We firmly believe we can help create greater financial well-being and prosperity for all Europeans.

BlackRock

Invested in Europe

Our purpose at BlackRock is to help people experience financial well-being. We support our clients, and the people they serve, in saving for the things that are important to them, like retirement, their children’s education or buying homes. And we’ve been doing just that in Europe for more than 25 years, and in more than 25 European countries.

Christian Hyldahl, Head of Continental Europe at BlackRock

How do we help Europeans experience financial well-being?

We strive to help Europeans build a better financial future while driving economic growth and enhancing financial inclusion. Our investments on behalf of clients support the transition to a low-carbon economy, finance new infrastructure projects, and create jobs in Europe.

Strong and athletic female swimmer on the seashore
A resilient Europe

A resilient Europe

We contribute to a more resilient European economy

On behalf of European clients, we invest over 1 trillion euros1 in a wide spectrum of assets – ranging from tech companies and government bonds to infrastructure projects that support the growth of renewable energy. These investments may contribute to long-term economic growth and resilience, including in the EU.

Two children sitting on the grass and drawing a picture together
Saving for the future

Saving for the future

We help build long-term savings in Europe

We believe that people deserve financial security across their lifetime, and that retirement should be within reach for everyone. We support our clients, who help millions of Europeans save for their retirement. BlackRock serves over 520 pension schemes across Continental Europe.2

Wind turbine on a farm amid green fields
Low-carbon transition

Low-carbon transition

We help our clients navigate the low-carbon transition

BlackRock manages more than €460 billion of sustainable assets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa – and has recently launched an over €90billion transition platform globally providing a wide range of choices for clients willing to invest in the transition to a low-carbon economy.3

Elder woman on a bridge
Financial inclusion

Financial inclusion

We make investing easier and more affordable for Europeans

At BlackRock, we strive to make investing open to all savers. We brought the first easily accessible Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to Europe and we’re the largest ETF provider on the continent4.

Euro Insights blog: views on driving growth and financial well-being

Our senior executives and experts share their views on critical issues shaping Europe’s economy and investment opportunities. We also take a closer look at key EU financial services policy developments affecting European investors and explore how capital markets can contribute to long-term financial well-being and growth across the continent.
A girl with VR goggles

1 BlackRock, as of August 2023
2 BlackRock, as of October 2023
3 BlackRock, as of September 2023
4 Morningstar, April 2023

EU policy insights

BlackRock supports EU policies that increase market transparency, protect investors, and facilitate responsible growth of European capital markets while preserving consumer choice.
Building deeper, better-connected capital markets in Europe is an important objective to promote investment, achieve the vital goal of the Capital Markets Union (CMU), and help European savers and companies realise their long-term financial objectives.

We believe in the value of open dialogue and transparency on these important issues. Our EU position papers, consultation responses and comment letters are publicly available.

BlackRock is registered under the EU Transparency Register. Find out more about our EU policy engagement.

Our EU policy publications

Advance Static Table-1
Advance Static Table-2
Advance Static Table-3
Name Topic Overview Date Link
Fractional Ownership and ETF Savings Plans Retail In this Policy Spotlight, we examine the use of fractional investing in ETF savings plans, exploring the differences in ownership models and the implications for retail investor protection. This is in response to ESMA’s proposed guidance, which aims to clarify the requirements around the use of derivatives on fractions of shares within distribution models. 16/05/2023

Download pdf

European money market fund reform Money Market Funds In this ViewPoint, we take a closer look at key issues central to the European debate around increasing the resilience of MMFs. We challenge the hypothesis that the Low Volatility Net Asset Value (LVNAV) fund structure is prone to cliff edge risks and we comment on the debate around the calibration and composition of liquidity buffers. We also look beyond the events of March 2020, to the more recent experience of European MMFs, and make a number of recommendations that we believe can help further underpin MMF resilience. 7/12/2022

Download pdf

Towards more transparent and resilient securities markets: a framework to support retail investor participation Securities markets In this Spotlight, we introduce a set of fundamental principles for policymakers, which we believe should form the basis for making public markets more inclusive and supportive of retail investors globally. We also make recommendations on market structure enhancements in line with these principles. 6/10/2022

Download pdf

Name Topic Date Link
Irish Department of Finance - Funds Sector 2030 Review: A Framework for Open, Resilient & Developing Markets Funds 15/9/2023

Download pdf

ESMA Consultation on Guidelines for the use of ESG in fund names Sustainability 20/2/2023

Download pdf

ISSB Response to Exposure Draft ED/2022/S1 on General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information Sustainability 1/8/2022

Download pdf

Name Topic Date Link
Ideas Exchange – Squaring the circle: The transition to net zero in an era of inflationary pressure Sustainability 14/06/2022

Download pdf

Ideas Exchange – EU Fiscal Rules: where to from here? Macroeconomics 21/12/2022

Download pdf

Ideas Exchange - How resilient is the food supply in times of crisis? Sustainability 20/04/2023

Download pdf

Ideas Exchange: charting Europe’s future

Ideas Exchange is BlackRock’s series of roundtables that bring together European policymakers, private sector experts and civil society to discuss pivotal topics for the future of Europe – from the COVID-19 recovery to the EU's long-term transition towards net zero.

Achieving the net zero transition in Europe in a new era of entrenched inflationary pressure has become even more complex in the wake of the Ukraine conflict and the ensuing energy shocks. In this context, we brought together experts from the European Commission and Bruegel to discuss:

The necessary trade-offs between ensuring energy security and managing inflation in the short term and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050

The current geopolitical balancing act which has translated into a transition path that is no longer linear

The investment needed from the European Commission, EU Member States and the private sector to enable a climate-neutral economy in Europe

The policy incentives that should be put in place to ensure a successful transition to net zero

Achieving the net zero transition in Europe in a new era of entrenched inflationary pressure has become even more complex in the wake of the Ukraine conflict and the ensuing energy shocks. In this context, we brought together experts from the European Commission and Bruegel to discuss:

The necessary trade-offs between ensuring energy security and managing inflation in the short term and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050

The current geopolitical balancing act which has translated into a transition path that is no longer linear

The investment needed from the European Commission, EU Member States and the private sector to enable a climate-neutral economy in Europe

The policy incentives that should be put in place to ensure a successful transition to net zero

Where we stand

leaf with dollar sign
Transition investing
Helping our clients navigate the low-carbon transition
binocular
Stewardship
Engaging with the companies our clients are invested in
leaves
Sustainability
Our fiduciary approach to sustainability
peoples icon
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
Supporting DEI across our firm

Social impact - bringing economic opportunity to more people

BlackRock works with public and private organisations as well as nonprofits to drive positive change. Our philanthropic engagement helps Europeans learn new skills, find better jobs and build savings. Together with partners, we mobilise resources to foster economic mobility, financial resilience and environmental sustainability in Europe.
two women hugging

Supporting financial literacy in Europe

Since 2021, BlackRock has donated $350,000 to launch Inspiring Girls Financial Clubs around the world – half of them in Europe, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Serbia. This initiative is dedicated to teenage girls, providing them with basic knowledge about financial markets and tech innovation in this space.

Our commitment to Europe

Europe has been our home for more than 25 years and our people have always been our greatest asset, bringing unique perspectives and a passion for creating financial well-being for millions of Europeans.

We're fiduciaries, managing our clients’ money with great responsibility to protect and grow their assets over the long-term, in line with their choices.

We're investors, putting to work the hard-earned savings of European people and institutions to build a better financial future for them.

We're technologists, constantly innovating to bring convenience, transparency, and precision to investing.

We're engaged citizens, speaking out for diversity, equity and inclusion as well as working to reduce our environmental footprint in Europe.

Increase2100
BlackRock employees across Continental Europe5
20
BlackRock offices in 15 European countries6
50
% of women among our employees in Europe9
76
nationalities in our European offices7
68
languages spoken in our European offices8

5BlackRock, as of October 2023

6BlackRock, as of October 2023

7BlackRock, as of October 2023

8BlackRock, as of October 2023

9BlackRock, as of October 2023