Robert Armstrong talks to Ortenca Aliaj, the FT's banking editor
Print this page This is an audio transcript of the Unhedged podcast episode: 'Bridgewater's new boss' [MUSIC PLAYING] Robert Armstrong The largest hedge fund in the world, Bridgewater Associates, has a new boss. Does it matter? This is Unhedged, the markets and finance show from the Financial Times and Pushkin. I'm Rob Armstrong, coming to you from Unhedged world headquarters in New York City. I am joined down the line from London by the indefatigable bank editor Ortenca Aliaj. Aliaj. Ortenca Aliaj. How was that last one? Ortenca Aliaj That was perfect. (Laughter) Robert Armstrong OK. Ortenca, welcome to the show. Ortenca Aliaj Thank you for having me. Again. Even though I moved country. Robert Armstrong (Laughter) Just as a way to kick things off for our listeners, what is Bridgewater? Who is Ray Dalio? Who's Nir Bar Dea? Get us caught up. Ortenca Aliaj OK. So Bridgewater, world's largest hedge fund, based in Connecticut. It's about to celebrate its 50th year. Nothing we would know about, Rob. And . . . Robert Armstrong Yes. (Laughter) Reputed to be something of a cult, but has made a lot of money. How's that? Ortenca Aliaj Exactly. And Ray Dalio is the founder of Bridgewater. He started it 50 years ago and has a reputation for being a mercurial person who loves Burning Man and recently attended a Taylor Swift concert in Singapore in which he seemed to endorse her for maybe president. Robert Armstrong Outstanding. Now . . . Ortenca Aliaj Not Nir Bar Dea. Robert Armstrong Oh no, no. I've got a question. Is it true that you've been on Ray Dalio's submarine? Ortenca Aliaj I haven't. Robert Armstrong Oh. That's very disappointing. Ortenca Aliaj Do you want someone else for the show? (Laughter) Robert Armstrong Yes. The show's over. Thank you for coming, listeners. Your next guest will be someone who's been on Ray Dalio's submarine. Ortenca Aliaj (Laughter) Nir Bar Dea? Robert Armstrong I bet he has. Ortenca Aliaj That's, yeah,…