Will Barnes
Investment Associate at Bridgewater Associates
Name: Will Barnes
Matriculation Year:
Subject: Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Occupation: Investment Associate at Bridgewater Associates
“I joined Bridgewater Associates as an Investment Associate when I graduated from Hertford in 2017. I’m currently team lead for the geopolitics team, which helps Bridgewater to generate insight and manage money by understanding the implications of government actions and international relations for economies and markets. I am very lucky to be able to continue exploring the themes that drew me to PPE, especially the intersection between government policy and economics. At the same time, I find it fascinating to be thinking about those questions as an investor, which has been quite different to my perspective as a student. I previously helped to lead our Trading Analytics team, which researches transaction costs and market microstructure and plays a critical role in Bridgewater’s systematic trade execution.
One of the things I most appreciate about working at Bridgewater is its culture of openness, transparency, and inclusion. It has a real emphasis on independent thinking that in many ways reminds me of Hertford. A particular highlight of my work is managing the internship program for new Investment Associates, as well as engaging with talent development more broadly. I’m grateful to have had opportunities to learn about management while at Oxford, whether as Treasurer at the Union or as the JCR’s Welfare Officer.
I would be very happy to talk to any Hertfordians who are interested in working at Bridgewater, who have similar interests, or who are based in the New York area (or considering moving here).”