Validus Appoints New CTO Amidst Ongoing Global Expansion

Validus Risk Management (Validus), a leading software and tech-enabled services platform for financial risk management, today announces the appointment of Daniel Johnson as Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

Based in London and reporting to CEO Kevin Lester, Daniel will lead on developing the company’s technology strategy as it continues to scale operations and develop its product offering.

With over 15 years of experience working in both large and small tech-driven organisations, Daniel brings significant technical and leadership experience. Most recently, Daniel spent four years at Hargreaves Lansdown, the UK’s largest and most successful online investment platform, as Chief Digital Platforms Officer. Prior to Hargreaves Lansdown, Daniel worked as CTO for a number of successful software businesses helping them to build scale and efficiency.

The appointment follows the announcement, in February 2025, of a $45 million growth equity investment from FTV Capital. In addition to supporting the company’s continued expansion into the APAC, US and European markets, the investment will enable Validus to accelerate its go-to-market efforts and invest in technology and product innovation. 

Commenting on his appointment, Daniel Johnson said: “I’m delighted to be joining Validus at such an exciting time for the business. I look forward to working with the team to continue driving product innovation and leading the firm’s ongoing development from a technology perspective.”

Kevin Lester, CEO of Validus Risk Management, added: “We are committed to regularly evaluating our technology stack and strategy to ensure we can most effectively support our clients. With his deep expertise, focus on continuous improvement and technology innovation, Daniel is a valuable addition to our executive team as we continue to deliver on our ambitious growth plans.”

As Validus continues scaling across new markets, this CTO appointment is expected to play a crucial role in accelerating innovation and maintaining agility. Earlier this month, Validus announced the opening of its new Singapore office and the appointment of Shawn Koh as Head of Asia Client Coverage, to lead operations across APAC following growing client demand for its services in the region.