News & Insights

Michael Shearer OBE, GAICD joins Veracity Worldwide

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Shearer OBE, GAICD as Veracity Senior Counselor, Asia-Pacific. Michael will play an instrumental role in supporting Veracity’s clients and growing Veracity’s business in Japan, where he has lived and worked on and off for nearly three decades, most notably as British Consul-General for Western Japan. Michael will split his time between Japan and Australia, working closely with Veracity's Tokyo-based Senior Counselor, Dr. Noriko Endo, to support the growth of Veracity’s Japan business.

Veracity Worldwide Promotes Benjamin Weiss to Chief Executive Officer

Veracity Worldwide has appointed Benjamin Weiss as chief executive officer. After joining Veracity in 2015, Ben held a succession of research, client management, and global executive positions, and has led the firm’s Asia-Pacific business for the last five years. Prior to joining Veracity, Ben held research roles at prominent think tanks in New Delhi and New York, advised Fortune 500 executives on strategic communications, and worked on Middle East affairs in Washington, DC. He takes over from Jay Truesdale, who will serve as a Veracity senior advisor during the transition.

Fiduciary Investors Symposium 2024, Singapore

At the 2024 Fiduciary Investors Symposium in Singapore, Veracity Managing Director Benjamin Weiss participated in a panel on the rise of India and its political, economic and investment landscape. Moderated by Conexus Financial Managing Director Colin Tate, the panel also featured CPP Investments’ Head of Active Fundamental Equities and Relationship Investing Anuj Girotra, and Vinay Agarwal, Director at FSSA Investment Managers.

World Policy Conference 2023, Abu Dhabi

Companies must focus on how to measure and manage geopolitical risk, according to Veracity CEO Jay Truesdale, who participated at the World Policy Conference in Abu Dhabi. Moderated by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Senior Partner Nikolaus Lang, the panel on geopolitics and trade also featured former UPS President of International Public Affairs and Sustainability Penny Naas, TotalEnergies’ President of Exploration & Production Nicolas Terraz, and former South Korean Minister of Trade Taeho Bark.

Mexico says Tesla factory still coming, vows infrastructure spending

Veracity's CEO Jay Truesdale spoke with Reuters on Tesla's proposed factory in northern Mexico. He commented that Tesla suppliers looking to expand in Mexico are likely to keep moving ahead, noting that they are "making a 30-year bet, not a three-year bet." He added that even if Tesla's production in the country is not fully operational, suppliers will be producing electric vehicle components "that will have a global demand."

Macroeconomic Reforms by Argentina’s Next President Could Benefit Lithium Industry

In this note, CEO Jay Truesdale and Director Mitch Hayes examine the potential implications of Argentina’s upcoming presidential election on the country’s lithium sector. They argue that frontrunner Javier Milei’s proposed policies will usher in a new era for the country’s lithium sector and may lead to increased Chinese presence in its electric vehicles industry.

By Jay Truesdale and Mitch Hayes

Mexico’s Peso Surges to Strongest Level Since 2015

Veracity’s CEO Jay Truesdale spoke with the The Wall Street Journal on the strong performance of the Mexican Peso over the last year. He stated that investors are looking beyond concerns about the investment climate and focusing on Mexico`s robust economic fundamentals, noting that "its structural at this point rather than short-term." Truesdale added that, compared to other emerging markets, Mexico has a low debt burden relative to the size of its economy.

Ukraine Crossing Dnieper River Would Be a Nightmare for Russia

In this Newsweek article by Russian & Ukraine correspondent Brendan Cole, Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale discussed the potential implications should Ukrainian forces successfully cross the Dnieper river. He noted that "the (Russian) MOD's weighing in on tactical events demonstrates how significant potential losses are for the Russian military's morale and logistics", and highlighted how important this is in light of Wagner's recent rebellion."

Expectations Ahead of the Vilnius NATO Summit

The upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius will see allies and partners projecting unity, strength, and a clear sense of purpose. Yet beneath the surface, dynamics within the institution remain brittle. This is in part due to the complexity of addressing multiple global threats, as well as the reality that NATO's success rests on the commitment and direction of its largest ally, the United States. In this commentary by Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale, which was also published by Barron’s, we assess the key issues expected to take center stage at this year’s summit.

By Jay Truesdale

NATO Wants to Project Strength. Its Internal Dynamics Remain Brittle.

Commentary by Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale on expectations for the Vilnius NATO summit were published as a separate feature by Barron’s. The piece outlines the key themes that will likely dominate discussion and assesses the state of NATOs internal dynamics. Truesdale notes that there is agreement among allies and partners on resisting Russian influence, defending democracies globally, and countering emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Debate continues, however, on what security guarantees should be given to Ukraine, and the status of NATO’s newest ally, Sweden.

Putin and the Consequences of Wagner’s Rebellion

While questions remain about the origins, objectives, and implications of Wagner’s armed rebellion, Prigozhin’s actions are already having an impact on Russian politics, with additional near and longer-term consequences both inside and outside the country certain to take shape. In this Veracity Insight piece, as well as in articles by POLITICO Europe and Newsweek that feature commentary from Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale, we assess how these dynamics may affect stability in Russia, the war in Ukraine, and geopolitics related to Africa, China, and Russia’s near abroad.

By Jay Truesdale and Gabriel Santamaria de Zulueta

Wagner Rebellion Eyes Moscow As Putin’s Grip on Power Threatened

In this Newsweek article by Russian & Ukraine correspondent Brendan Cole, Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale discussed the implications of Wagner's rebellion. He noted that Wagner was able to advance towards Moscow because the Russian army's best units are deployed in Ukraine, and that "Putin has relatively limited conventional and special operations forces to deploy for the purposes of a civil conflict."

MOSCOW’S FORCES NOT EQUIPPED TO STOP WAGNER

POLITICO Europe ran a piece featuring insights from Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale, formerly a U.S. diplomat in Ukraine and Russia, on Wagner Group’s armed rebellion. Jay noted that Russia’s armed forces were unable to deal with the immediate threat from Wagner “because the best members of its armed forces are deployed or suffered casualties in Ukraine.”

Fiduciary Investors Symposium 2023, Blue Mountains

Geopolitics matters more today than it has for several decades, according to Veracity Managing Director Benjamin Weiss, who spoke on a panel at the Fiduciary Investors Symposium in Blue Mountains, Australia alongside Justine O'Connell, AustralianSuper's head of portfolio construction and asset allocation, and David Gait, portfolio manager at global investment manager Stewart Investors.

Can the President of Honduras meeting Xi Jinping ease the country’s financial crisis?

Voice of America Cantonese ran a piece and published a video featuring insights from Mitch Hayes, a director at Veracity, on economic and trade exchanges between Honduras and China. Hayes noted that Chinese companies see Latin America as an attractive market for their high-value exports such as mobile phones and electric vehicles.