Michael Gruener, is Head of BlackRock's Europe, Middle East and Africa Retail business. He is a member of BlackRock's European Executive Committee and the BlackRock European Steer Co.

Mr. Gruener joined BlackRock in January 2012 as the Head of BlackRock's German, Austria & Eastern Europe iShares sales team and became Head of the iShares Wealth and Retail client segment in EMEA in January 2014. In 2015 he became the Co-Head of the EMEA Sales for iShares. Michael began his current role in July 2017.

Mr. Gruener has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining BlackRock, Michael worked for 10 years at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in multiple distribution roles in Chicago, London and Frankfurt.

Mr. Gruener holds a German Banker qualification and a BA honors degree from the Cambridge Polytechnic University in Finance and Controlling. He also holds a degree from the Berlin School of Economics in Business Administration and Finance