Blair Richardson
With a career spanning more than 40 years in financial services and capital markets, Blair Richardson has held prominent roles in the international financial marketplace, specializing in public and private equity and debt securities.
Born in Canada, Richardson attended Aden Bowman Collegiate in Saskatchewan. He has lived in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and, for the last 30 years, Denver.
He began his career at Canada’s oldest securities firm, A.E. Ames and Company, and in 1978 became the youngest partner at the age of 30. From 1980 to 1987, he was a vital member of the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Department, where his responsibilities encompassed sales and trading. His career then led him to Morgan Stanley, where from 1987 to 1995, he held senior positions such as managing director of the equity and fixed income department in New York, president of Morgan Stanley Japan in Tokyo, and vice chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia in Hong Kong.
Following his tenure at Morgan Stanley, Richardson founded and served as managing partner of B.E. Richardson Investments, deploying capital in diverse investments throughout North America. Following the sale of TGS Properties, a publicly listed company on the Toronto Exchange that he founded, he moved to Denver in 1995.
Between 1996 and 2002, B.E. Richardson Investments executed more than 20 private equity transactions. In 2003, Richardson founded Bow River Capital, where he currently serves as the chief executive officer. Under his leadership, Bow River has grown into a diversified investment management firm with more than $5 billion in assets under management across Private Equity, Real Estate, and Private Credit. Richardson led the firm's investment focus in the "Rodeo Region," a geographic footprint encompassing 14 states in the Rocky Mountain West and Southwest, aligning with the region’s values and fostering economic growth.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Richardson is an active philanthropist with a history of supporting education, as well as culture and the arts. Acknowledged for his impact, Blair was recognized as one of Denver's most influential individuals by 5280 Magazine, earning a place in their esteemed "The 5280 Fifty" list. Richardson was also the recipient of the prestigious Mizel Institute's 2022 Community Enrichment Award, honored by Governor Jared Polis and former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. Additionally, he was presented with the Kemp Outstanding Citizen award in 2018 and the 2017 Imhoff Community Award for his commitment to helping children. He has been a board member of National Jewish Hospital, Colorado Concern, Colorado Inclusive Economy, Activate Workforce Solutions, and the State of Colorado CLIMBER Fund.
He and his wife, Kristin, support numerous charitable causes, including the Denver Public Schools Foundation, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado UpLift, and ACE Scholarships. In 2002, they set up the Kristin and Blair Richardson Foundation, which supports education-focused charities and non-profits.
Richardson is an avid traveler and is passionate about ranching and history. He and Kristin reside in Denver and are parents to four adult children.
Born in Canada, Richardson attended Aden Bowman Collegiate in Saskatchewan. He has lived in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and, for the last 30 years, Denver.
He began his career at Canada’s oldest securities firm, A.E. Ames and Company, and in 1978 became the youngest partner at the age of 30. From 1980 to 1987, he was a vital member of the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Department, where his responsibilities encompassed sales and trading. His career then led him to Morgan Stanley, where from 1987 to 1995, he held senior positions such as managing director of the equity and fixed income department in New York, president of Morgan Stanley Japan in Tokyo, and vice chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia in Hong Kong.
Following his tenure at Morgan Stanley, Richardson founded and served as managing partner of B.E. Richardson Investments, deploying capital in diverse investments throughout North America. Following the sale of TGS Properties, a publicly listed company on the Toronto Exchange that he founded, he moved to Denver in 1995.
Between 1996 and 2002, B.E. Richardson Investments executed more than 20 private equity transactions. In 2003, Richardson founded Bow River Capital, where he currently serves as the chief executive officer. Under his leadership, Bow River has grown into a diversified investment management firm with more than $5 billion in assets under management across Private Equity, Real Estate, and Private Credit. Richardson led the firm's investment focus in the "Rodeo Region," a geographic footprint encompassing 14 states in the Rocky Mountain West and Southwest, aligning with the region’s values and fostering economic growth.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Richardson is an active philanthropist with a history of supporting education, as well as culture and the arts. Acknowledged for his impact, Blair was recognized as one of Denver's most influential individuals by 5280 Magazine, earning a place in their esteemed "The 5280 Fifty" list. Richardson was also the recipient of the prestigious Mizel Institute's 2022 Community Enrichment Award, honored by Governor Jared Polis and former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. Additionally, he was presented with the Kemp Outstanding Citizen award in 2018 and the 2017 Imhoff Community Award for his commitment to helping children. He has been a board member of National Jewish Hospital, Colorado Concern, Colorado Inclusive Economy, Activate Workforce Solutions, and the State of Colorado CLIMBER Fund.
He and his wife, Kristin, support numerous charitable causes, including the Denver Public Schools Foundation, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado UpLift, and ACE Scholarships. In 2002, they set up the Kristin and Blair Richardson Foundation, which supports education-focused charities and non-profits.
Richardson is an avid traveler and is passionate about ranching and history. He and Kristin reside in Denver and are parents to four adult children.