FX post-trade infrastructure provider Cobalt has announced the addition of two new hires to its leadership team, as it continues its expansion into Emerging Markets and Digital Assets with a new institutional investment round.

Longtime Barclays executive Duncan Lord has joined Cobalt as the Head of Post-Trade Operations. Mr. Lord had been with Barclays in London since 2005.

With 30 years of experience in the FX industry, Duncan Lord joins from Barclays where he managed Global Post Trade Functions and was a member of the Bank of England’s FX Joint Standing Committee and the GFXD Operations Committee. Duncan will be spearheading Cobalt’s further development of products within Emerging Markets and Digital Assets.

In addition, Colbalt stated that Michael Walsh will be joining the team as a Consultant on our current investment round and strategic alliances, where he will have a particular focus on the buyside. Michael Walsh has spent over 30 years working in executive and non-executive roles across financial markets, asset management, law, and FX in London, Paris, Dublin, and New York. He has held Senior Management roles at BNP Paribas, ABN AMRO, RBS, Lloyds Bank and is a Certified Investment Fund Director.

Darren Coote, CEO of Cobalt, commented:

“To date Cobalt has been steady in its growth, trajectory and fundraising. The impact of COVID, however has made it even more clear to our clients of the need to automate and begin to embrace the role digital assets in the market. Our technology has proved to be robust and scalable in the most difficult of market conditions and we feel comfortable that now is the time to invest for growth. We are excited that two people of the calibre and experience of Michael and Duncan have chosen to join us as we continue forward.