iCapital Network, a financial technology platform focused on democratising access to alternative investments for high-net-worth investors and their financial advisers, has appointed Thomas Fortin as managing partner and chief operating officer (COO).

Fortin (pictured) will report to iCapital Network’s chief executive officer, Lawrence Calcano, and be responsible for technology development and the investor services group.
 
Fortin joins iCapital from BlackRock, where he was head of retail technology in the BlackRock Solutions group and responsible for the strategy, design, and development of retail sales enablement and digital distribution solutions. He also drove the acquisition of FutureAdvisor.
 
“We are delighted to welcome Tom to our leadership team,” says Calcano. “His entrepreneurial spirit and unparalleled technology and integration experience will be instrumental in advancing our efforts to democratize alternative investments and engaging at the highest-level with clients, partners and investors.”
 
In his previous role, Fortin was a member of BlackRock’s global operating and corporate risk management committees. Fortin was formerly BlackRock’s chief information officer and led the Aladdin development team from 2002 to 2011. Additionally, Fortin was responsible for the post-acquisition enterprise integrations with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers and Barclays Global Investors.
 
Prior to joining BlackRock in 2001, Fortin spent 10 years with Wall Street Systems in the development and implementation of a front-to-back fixed income and FX trading system for global financial institutions.
 
Fortin says: “iCapital is an innovator in the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of alternative investments. I’m truly excited to be joining iCapital’s energetic team and helping transform the way wealth management solutions are accessed and delivered.”