The race to succeed Larry Fink just got a little more interesting as a top contender exits BlackRock

Executive Departure - Mark Wiedman, a top BlackRock executive and potential successor to CEO Larry Fink, is leaving the firm to pursue opportunities outside [1][3][6] - Wiedman will stay through the spring to assist with the transition [1] - His departure comes a day before BlackRock's Q4 earnings report [7] Wiedman's Background - Wiedman has been with BlackRock for two decades, joining from the US Treasury Department [2] - He played a key role in the growth of BlackRock's ETF business, iShares, and helped establish the firm's consulting arm, FMA [2] CEO Succession - Rob Goldstein, BlackRock's COO, is also considered a potential successor to Fink [4] - Other candidates include CFO Martin Small and Asia-Pacific head Rachel Lord [4] BlackRock's Growth Strategy - CEO Larry Fink has been focused on expanding BlackRock's presence in private markets [5] - In 2024, BlackRock announced three major acquisitions, including the purchase of HPS Investment Partners, a private credit firm managing $148 billion [5] - Fink has been more vocal about growth plans than succession planning [7]