New advisor at Validus will focus on infrastructure funds

Validus Risk Management, a leading independent financial risk advisory and technology firm, has announced the appointment of Ashley Blows as a senior advisor in London with a focus on infrastructure funds.

Blows will advise Validus on initiatives and opportunities in the infrastructure investment industry as the firm continues to expand its services to that sector, ranging from foreign exchange and interest rate hedging for funds or specific project finance deals, to fund finance solutions, such as advising on subscription lines, NAV-facilities and bespoke financings.

Blows brings over 30 years’ experience working in the infrastructure space around the world from EMEA to the U.S. and Australasia, particularly with public–private partnerships (PPP) and those involved in energy transition, as well as the transport and utility sectors. 

Commenting on his appointment, Blows said: “I am pleased to be starting a new position as a senior advisor at Validus Risk Management, a prominent firm specialising in foreign exchange, interest rate risk management and fund finance advisory services.  I look forward to working as part of the impressive existing Validus team as it seeks to play an ever more significant role with infrastructure fund manager clients.”

Haakon Blakstad, chief commercial officer at Validus added: “I am thrilled that Ashley has agreed to act as a senior advisor to Validus and we are excited to leverage Ashley’s extensive experience, skillsets and networks in the infrastructure space. 

"Validus already has a solid foothold here, having advised some of the largest global infrastructure fund managers on risks such as FX and interest rate exposures in multi-billion-dollar deals, but Ashley’s appointment will further boost the capabilities of our existing team. 

"We will continue to work with infrastructure funds in helping them manage risks at the fund level or for specific deals, and Ashley’s valuable advice will help us increase that presence.”

Prior to taking on the advisory role at Validus, Blows spent over a decade in senior positions in London at the French corporate and investment bank, Natixis, including head of coverage for infrastructure fund managers. 

His extensive career also incorporates establishing and managing infrastructure finance-related businesses at major European financial firms, DEPFA Bank and Dexia, spending over 10 years at the latter.