(Reuters) – BlackRock Inc (NYSE:) Chief Govt Officer Larry Fink has been getting ready 5 key leaders to take his position every time he decides to step down sooner or later, the Wall Avenue Journal reported on Saturday.

Although Fink has no imminent plans to retire, he together with President Robert Kapito has been coaching these candidates for “The Nice Race” – to decide on the successor – in what Fink calls is the “No. 1 precedence”, the report mentioned, citing an interview with the CEO.

The 5 contenders are Mark Wiedman, who runs the worldwide industrial enterprise; Chief Working Officer Rob Goldstein; and Chief Monetary Officer Martin Small together with Rachel Lord, head of the Asia Pacific enterprise, and Salim Ramji, the top of ETFs and indexing merchandise, the report mentioned.

Fink instructed the newspaper he hoped to construct camaraderie among the many 5, and never competitors, so they may preserve working collectively.

Fink didn’t give a particular timing as to when he would retire however mentioned he “would favor to not be at BlackRock in his late 70s”, the report mentioned, including there was an opportunity he may keep on as chairman after stepping down as CEO.

BlackRock didn’t instantly reply to Reuters’ request for remark.

Final yr, Activist hedge fund Bluebell Capital Companions took purpose at BlackRock and wished to exchange Fink because the CEO, calling the world’s largest asset supervisor inconsistent in its give attention to environmental, social and company governance (ESG) points. BlackRock mentioned it plans no main adjustments to the best way it engages with firms.