Fifteen years ago, Validus was founded with a simple but ambitious goal: to bring sophisticated risk management and hedging expertise to the private capital sector. In this special anniversary episode of The Validus View, CEO Kevin Lester is joined by Marc Cogliatti, Head of Market Risk Strategies (UK), and Haakon Blakstad, Chief Commercial Officer (Oslo), to reflect on the firm’s journey from a small startup in Windsor to a global advisory and technology leader.

Together, they discuss how macroeconomic shifts, from the global financial crisis and Brexit to the rise of private credit, have shaped both the industry and Validus itself. The conversation explores how the firm’s services and technology have evolved in tandem with client needs.

Looking ahead, the trio share their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing private capital in a rapidly changing market, and how Validus continues to evolve: expanding across geographies, embracing technology and remaining true to its entrepreneurial roots.

This episode is both a look back at how far Validus has come and a look forward at the future of risk management in private markets.

Key Highlights

• The story of Validus’ growth from a startup to a global partner for the private capital industry.
• Lessons from key macro events: from the financial crisis and Brexit to today’s market volatility.
• How innovation and technology have shaped the firm’s evolution.
• The growing sophistication of private capital firms in managing FX and rate risk.
• What the future holds for the industry - and for Validus - as it expands into Asia and beyond.

The U.S. dollar has long been the cornerstone of global finance, but shifts in markets and investor sentiment are raising new questions about its future. In this episode of The Validus View, CEO Kevin Lester sits down with CIO Kambiz Kazemi to explore the forces shaping the dollar’s trajectory and what they mean for private capital and institutional investors. They discuss the gradual erosion of the dollar’s dominance, why the euro and renminbi have yet to take its place, and whether its safe haven reputation still holds. The conversation also looks at why Canadian institutional investors hedge the dollar less than their global peers, the advantages of a more tactical approach to currency hedging, and the potential economic risks on the horizon. Packed with insights on macro trends and practical takeaways, this is a timely discussion for anyone navigating today’s interconnected markets.