Word reaches IJGlobal that last week one of the most senior figures in European infrastructure and energy served notice at BlackRock.

Jonathan Stevens – who joined BlackRock in 2016 following the departure of the platform's founding members Philippe Benaroya and Chris Wrenn in May that year – is understood now to be on gardening leave.

Stevens is exiting his role as head of Europe and chief investment officer for BlackRock’s infrastructure debt business where he reported to Jeetu Balchandani – global head of infrastructure debt.

Having been in the role for the last 7 years, Stevens built the BlackRock portfolio of assets under management – investment grade and sub-investment grade – from £2.5 billion to £22 billion.

There is an established team beneath Stevens:

• Dipak Haria – at BlackRock since July 2014
• Lucy Dale – promoted to director at the start of 2020
• Roly Hawker – joined as associate May 2016, promoted to director January 2021
• Guillaume Vandewalle – joined as VP in August 2018, promoted to director January 2023

Haria – one of the founding members of the European investment team, with 19 years of experience – is stepping up to take over as head of the European infrastructure debt team. He will join the global infrastructure debt investment committee and report to Balchandani.