Ben Powell

Ben Powell, a CFA charterholder and Managing Director, serves as Chief Middle East and APAC Investment Strategist for BlackRock Investment Institute. Powell brings more than 23 years of capital markets experience and relocated to Dubai from Singapore in July 2024 to establish and lead the institute's dedicated Middle East presence.

Powell is responsible for delivering value-added market and investment insights across asset classes in the APAC region while developing macro-level frameworks and tactical investment ideas. In his expanded role, he focuses on building proprietary Middle East macroeconomic, markets and multi-asset class insights while continuing to oversee BlackRock Investment Institute activities in APAC.

Career History

• Chief Middle East and APAC Investment Strategist, BlackRock Investment Institute (2024–present)
• APAC Investment Strategist, BlackRock Investment Institute, Singapore (2019–2024)
• Co-Head of UBS Investment Bank Multi-Asset APAC Sales (prior to 2019)
• Investment banking roles at UBS, London and Barclays, Hong Kong

Education & Credentials: Powell holds a degree in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Bristol and is a CFA charterholder.

What Powell could bring to Chief Middle East and APAC Investment Strategist: With deep investment banking and multi-asset sales experience across Asia-Pacific and now expanded focus on the Middle East, Powell brings established expertise in macro framework development, client relationship management across multiple asset classes, and thought leadership capabilities. His relocation to Dubai and mandate to build proprietary regional insights position him to deepen BlackRock's competitive positioning in emerging high-growth markets while maintaining strategic oversight of the company's established APAC operations.