Apollo boss Leon Black steps down after review into Epstein ties “Given the extraordinary strength and depth of Apollo’s management team and consistent with best-in-class governance practices, I have advised the Apollo Board that I will retire as CEO on or before my 70th birthday in July and remain as Chairman,” Black said on Monday. Marc Rowan will take over as chief executive in July, while Black, who founded the private equity firm in 1990, will remain as chairman. It comes after an independent review by law firm Dechert which found Black had paid $158m for advice on tax and estate planning and related services between 2012 and 2017.