BlackRock’s Board of Directors believes that diversity in thought, experience, skills and viewpoints contributes to and enhances its capabilities. Moreover, the Board views diversity among its members as critical to the success of the Company and the Board’s ability to create long-term value for our shareholders. The various experiences of our individual directors help the Board better oversee BlackRock’s management and operations and assess risk and opportunities for the Company from a variety of perspectives. Diversity among the Board’s members enhances its oversight of our multifaceted long-term strategy and inspires deeper engagement with management, employees and clients around the world.
Our current Board consists of 18 members, 15 of whom are independent. The Board includes six women and six Directors who are non-U.S. or dual citizens. Three of our 18 directors self-identify as racially/ethnically diverse, with two identifying as Black/African American and one identifying as Middle Eastern/North African. Several of our Board members live and work overseas in countries and regions that are key areas of growth and investment for BlackRock, including Canada, the Middle East and Europe.
As BlackRock’s business has evolved, so has our Board. Today, our Board consists of senior leaders, including 14 current or former company CEOs, with substantial experience in financial services, consumer products, manufacturing, technology, pharmaceuticals, banking, infrastructure and energy. Over 30% of BlackRock’s independent directors have joined the Board in the past five years, bringing fresh perspectives to Board deliberations.
To learn more about our Board of Directors, we encourage you to visit http://ir.blackrock.com/governance/board-of-directors.