

The Treasury Career Corner
Mike Richards
In this weekly podcast I interview Treasury professionals from across the globe about their treasury careers.
I talk to them about their roles, how they built their careers, where they are now and where do they see both themselves and the treasury profession developing. Other areas we talk about include;
-Career highlights and lowlights
-Where they got their big break
-What they see as key to their success
-Where do their careers go from here?
-What do they see as the future of the Treasury profession
As a treasury recruitment company, we also explore treasury talent issues and what they believe is the future for treasury profession?
I talk to them about their roles, how they built their careers, where they are now and where do they see both themselves and the treasury profession developing. Other areas we talk about include;
-Career highlights and lowlights
-Where they got their big break
-What they see as key to their success
-Where do their careers go from here?
-What do they see as the future of the Treasury profession
As a treasury recruitment company, we also explore treasury talent issues and what they believe is the future for treasury profession?
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 26, 2025 • 50min
How Do You Build a Treasury Function from Scratch in a Global Company?
What does it take to launch a treasury function from the ground up - twice? In this episode, Anshul Patni shares how he built treasury operations at Instacart and Bakelite Synthetics, and offers practical, actionable lessons on leadership, technology, and global cash management for today’s treasury professionals.In this special revisited episode of the Treasury Career Corner Podcast I reconnect with Anshul Patni now the Vice President and Treasurer at Bakelite Synthetics, where he leads a global treasury, credit, and insurance team. With prior experience as Treasurer at Instacart and a long tenure in treasury consulting at Deloitte, Anshul brings a rare dual perspective from both corporate and advisory sides of treasury operations.What We Cover in This Episode:Anshul’s early interest in economics and risk managementKey career lessons from roles at Reval, Deloitte, and beyondThe shift from treasury consulting to corporate leadershipBuilding treasury teams and functions from the ground upDifferences between managing treasury in high-cash tech vs. PE-owned global companiesHow to evaluate and implement a Treasury Management System (TMS)Managing FX and interest rate risk in multinational operationsWhy technology selection must match business process, not brandStrategic treasury leadership during debt-heavy growth phasesCoaching team members and developing cross-functional expertiseYou can connect with Anshul Patni on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. ICD changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/

Aug 19, 2025 • 28min
Treasury Salaries 2025 – Latest Jobs Market Insights from The Treasury Recruitment Company
Are you being paid what you're worth in treasury? In this solo episode, Mike Richards, CEO of The Treasury Recruitment Company, breaks down the latest findings from our global Treasury Salary Survey, revealing eye-opening trends, benchmarking insights, and actionable tips for advancing your compensation in 2025 and beyond.Mike Richards is the CEO and Founder of The Treasury Recruitment Company.With over 25 years of experience in treasury recruitment globally, Mike brings unmatched expertise in salary benchmarking, market trends, and career progression insights for treasury professionals.What You'll Hear in This Episode:The history and evolution of the Treasury Salary Survey, now representing 1,600+ professionals globallyHow real, verified data from actual treasury practitioners sets this survey apart from othersWhy job titles can be misleading and how Mike classifies roles more accurately based on experience and responsibility Regional salary breakdowns:UK: Rapid rise in junior-level salariesNorth America: Highest bonuses and growing demand at senior levelsEurope: Sits between UK and US with significant variance by regionCompensation details:Base salaryBonusCar allowances and their tax advantagesTrends in remote work vs. hybrid setups and how this is shifting globallyWhy job satisfaction increases with seniority and how leaders can improve retentionWhat factors matter most to treasury professionals:Career progressionAutonomyWork-life balanceMeaningful workCommon reasons people leave treasuryroles and how to proactively address themYou can connect with Mike Richards on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. ICD changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/

Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 8min
How Treasurers at DCC, OCI & Duracell Built High-Performing Treasury Teams
What does it take to lead a top-tier treasury team in today’s fast-evolving corporate world? In this special live-recorded episode of the Treasury Career Corner podcast, three seasoned treasury leaders share how they built and led high-performing teams while navigating complex global challenges.Join Mike Richards as he chats with these three global treasury leaders:Mags Bourke, Global Treasurer at DuracellDeclan Doorly, Head of Group Treasury at DCC plcPhillip Learoyd, Group Treasurer at OCI NVHosted live in London, this episode dives into the real-world challenges and successes of building and leading treasury teams in global, high-growth, and decentralized environments. You’ll hear how these treasurers have navigated career transitions, championed digital transformation, and maintained strong internal and external relationships - all while keeping treasury at the strategic core of their businesses. Whether you’re early in your treasury career or leading a team yourself, this episode is packed with actionable insights and leadership wisdom.Main topics discussed:Unique career paths into treasury: from construction sites to consultingBuilding treasury from scratch in large global companiesKey traits and values when hiring treasury team membersBalancing automation with the human element in treasury operationsManaging global and remote treasury teams effectivelyThe strategic importance of treasury in decentralised business modelsUsing training and internal advocacy to strengthen treasury’s business roleNavigating change, transformation, and technology with limited resourcesBuilding credibility with CFOs and other senior stakeholdersReal-world examples of treasury leadership during periods of growth and uncertainty----🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. ICD changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/

Aug 5, 2025 • 27min
Returning to Treasury Leadership – Why Jens Rejoined Trelleborg
What makes a seasoned treasury professional return to where it all began? In this episode, Jens Billberg reveals why he rejoined Trelleborg Group as Group Treasurer after years away, and how his career - from back office trainee to treasury leader offers a roadmap for rising treasury professionals.Jens Billberg is the Group Treasurer and VP Treasury at Trelleborg Group, a global leader in engineered polymer solutions. With over two decades in corporate treasury, consulting, and international leadership, Jens brings deep insight into building treasury functions, managing risk globally, and leveraging technology to enhance operations.Main topics discussed:Jens’ accidental entry into treasury and early back office experienceTransitioning from back office to trading and risk management rolesThe transformation of Trelleborg’s business and treasury function over two decadesChallenges and lessons from implementing global cash structures in China and IndiaKey differences between corporate treasury and consulting rolesBuilding a treasury hub in Luxembourg from scratchEmbracing digitization, robotics, and system automation in treasuryRejoining Trelleborg: motivations, leadership mindset, and organizational strategyAdvice for young treasury professionals and career path reflectionsHow Trelleborg’s local-for-local model helped weather trade wars and COVID-19You can connect with Jens Billberg on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. ICD changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/

Jul 29, 2025 • 40min
How to Build Treasury from the Ground Up in a High-Growth Global Company
What does it take to build a treasury function from scratch at a fast-moving global company? Nolan Soltvedt, Treasurer at Lime has done just that - multiple times. In this episode, he shares the inside story of building resilient treasury systems in complex, high-growth environments, from legacy firms to tech disruptors.Nolan Soltvedt is the Treasurer at Lime, the world’s largest shared electric vehicle company. With experience across Ecolab, Capella University, and Api Group, Nolan has led treasury transformations at both established multinationals and fast-scaling startups. He brings a rare blend of global banking expertise, leadership through change, and a passion for making numbers tell a story.Main topics discussed:Nolan’s entry into finance and early lessons from his internship at Ecolab Building international finance and treasury experience early in his careerWhy building global relationships is critical in treasuryShifting between corporate finance and FP&A - and how it shaped his leadershipRejoining Ecolab and managing treasury post major acquisitionsLessons from leading treasury through a company IPO and rapid M&A at APiHow to rebuild and scale a treasury team after high turnoverCreating a treasury M&A integration playbookTransitioning to Lime: Setting up treasury in a tech-driven, high-growth environmentWhy prioritizing the right treasury capabilities matters more than doing everythingHow Nolan applies storytelling and creativity from music into financial communicationThe evolving future of treasury: AI, interest rates, and scalable systemsYou can connect with Nolan Soltvedt on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. ICD changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/Connect to Mike Richards, CEO, The Treasury Recruitment Company on LinkedIn HERE

Jul 22, 2025 • 46min
From Banking to Treasury: The Career Move That Seemed Like a Step Back But It Wasn’t
What if the smartest career move you could make looked like a step backwards? In this episode, Keith Gaub, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer at Bristol-Myers Squibb, shares how taking a pay and title cut led him to one of the most rewarding chapters of his treasury career -and why playing the long game is the ultimate career strategy.Keith Gaub is the Vice President and Assistant Treasurer at Bristol-Myers Squibb, a global biopharmaceutical company. With prior roles at Lehman Brothers, Barclays, and Zoetis, Keith brings deep experience across banking, corporate treasury, and investor relations. His journey reflects the power of strategic career transitions, calculated risk-taking, and building treasury operations from the ground up.Main topics discussed:Why Keith left a leadership role in banking to join a fledgling corporate treasury teamThe sacrifices (and eventual payoffs) of stepping “back” in title and compensationHow Keith helped build a treasury department from scratch at ZoetisNavigating the 2008 financial crisis from inside Lehman BrothersTransitioning from technical finance to people management and leadershipThe mindset of deliberate, long-term career planningThe evolving role of treasury in M&A, forecasting, and risk managementThe importance of mentorship, team culture, and maintaining strong professional networksYou can connect with Keith Gaub on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. ICD changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/Connect to Mike Richards, CEO, The Treasury Recruitment Co via LinkedIn

Jul 15, 2025 • 1h 11min
How Treasury Teams Can Save 37 Hours a Week Without a Tech Overhaul
What if you could save your treasury team 37 hours a week - without investing in expensive new software or overhauling your tech stack? In this episode, James Kelly, Co-Founder of Your Treasury reveals how thoughtful automation and strategic AI adoption can transform your treasury operations with the tools you already have.Joining us on the podcast is James Kelly, Co-Founder of Your Treasury and former SVP of Treasury, Risk Management and Insurance at Pearson. James has led treasury functions at global giants like Rentokil, Associated British Ports, and Sky. Today, he helps treasury teams unlock powerful efficiencies through practical applications of AI, automation, and process design. With a unique blend of hands-on experience and a sharp eye for innovation, James shares how even the smallest changes can lead to massive results.What We Cover in This Episode:The simple process redesign that slashed 37 hours of treasury workload to just 3.Why full tech overhauls are not necessary to drive automation.How treasurers can use AI tools like Python and LLMs to solve repetitive pain points.The biggest obstacles to AI adoption in treasury teams and how to overcome them.The tipping point: why now is the time for treasury teams to embrace AI.The cultural differences in AI adoption across global finance teams.Common misconceptions about treasury automation and how to get started without overwhelm.You can connect with James Kelly on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. ICD changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/Connect to Mike Richards, CEO, The Treasury Recruitment Co via LinkedIn

Jul 8, 2025 • 52min
Why Your Network - Not Just Your Knowledge - Builds Treasury Careers
What truly accelerates your treasury career? It’s not just what you know - it’s who knows you.In this episode, we uncover how relationship-building, mentorship, and showing up authentically can propel you from entry-level analyst to treasury leader.Sherri Nicole Speaks is the Vice President, Treasury at JBT Marel Corporation, a leading global provider of technology solutions to the food and beverage industry, headquartered in Chicago.On this episode Sherri shares her extraordinary career journey. From being laid off during the 2007 subprime mortgage crisis to leading treasury operations for a global food technology company, Sherri offers invaluable insights into personal growth, professional development, and the power of saying “yes.”A lifelong Chicagoan, Sherri holds a BA in Economics from the University of Illinois and both an MBA and a Master’s in Accounting from Keller Graduate School of Management. She has been an active contributor to the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) for over 15 years and was elected to the AFP Board of Directors in 2024.Main topics discussed:How Sherri transitioned from subprime mortgage underwriting to treasury by starting over as an assistant.The moment she realized treasury could be a fulfilling, long-term career.Why building internal and external networks was critical to her career advancement.The pivotal role of mentors and allies - especially her experiences with supportive leaders at ITW and JBT.Her rise from senior analyst to treasurer and the strategic growth of her department.Involvement with AFP and how saying “yes” to opportunities opened new doors.Navigating personal and professional challenges, including imposter syndrome and anxiety.Building a personal brand as an “unapologetically authentic” leader.The importance of investing in junior talent and preparing the next generation.Her perspective on technology, AI, and the evolving treasury landscape.You can connect with Sherri Nicole Speaks on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. ICD changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/

Jul 1, 2025 • 40min
How Tradeweb Enhanced Its Treasury Team with Tech - No Expansion Required
Can you radically modernize a treasury function without expanding your team? Ashley Serrao of Tradeweb Markets reveals exactly how he leveraged technology to do just that – driving strategic impact and boosting returns while keeping his team lean.In this episode, host Mike Richards is joined by Ashley Serrao, Managing Director, Head of Treasury, FP&A, and Investor Relations at Tradeweb Markets, a global leader in electronic fixed income trading. Ashley sits on Tradeweb’s Executive Committee and oversees budgeting, capital management, ESG, and investor communications - while also chairing the firm’s ESG Steering Committee and co-chairing its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.With a unique pivot from equity research into treasury, Ashley shares how he transformed Tradeweb’s treasury into a lean, tech-powered function that delivers strategic impact - without needing headcount expansion. From leading the 2019 IPO to optimizing treasury operations with data and technology, his story is packed with real-world lessons. What We Cover in This Episode:Ashley’s career pivot from equity research at Credit Suisse to treasury leadership at TradewebHow he led the implementation of a TMS with a two-person teamRewriting Tradeweb’s outdated Investment Policy Statement for a more modern approachUsing technology and tools like money market funds and ICD to boost liquidity efficiencyThe strategic impact of thinking like a portfolio manager in treasury operationsBuilding credibility with the CFO and earning a seat at the tableTradeweb’s tech-first mindset and how it’s transforming treasury workflowsBalancing operational excellence with long-term strategic valueChoosing treasury tech: what matters most in your decision-making processThe future of treasury: analytics, democratization, and exploring AIYou can connect with Ashley Serrao on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. ICD changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/

Jun 24, 2025 • 40min
Why You Need a Personal Brand in Treasury (Whether You Like It or Not)
In a world where visibility means opportunity, your personal brand is no longer optional - it’s essential. In this episode, discover why treasury professionals can no longer afford to stay silent online, and how building a strategic LinkedIn presence can future-proof your career, attract opportunities, and showcase the value you bring - even if you're not actively looking for a new role.This special episode features Mike Richards, CEO and Joe Grabowski, Executive Consultant for US Treasury from The Treasury Recruitment Company,Together, they dive deep into the often-overlooked power of personal branding within the treasury profession, sharing real-life examples, practical tips, and hard-won lessons from their decades of recruitment experience.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why personal branding matters more than ever for treasury professionalsThe evolution from offline networking to the LinkedIn eraMisconceptions about being active on LinkedIn (and why it doesn’t mean you are job hunting)Practical steps to start building your personal brand todayHow to post about your achievements without sounding boastfulManaging internal perceptions and maintaining authenticity onlineTips for updating your LinkedIn profile and avoiding common mistakesThe power of consistent networking and making meaningful connectionsHow to handle professional conflict while maintaining your brandWhy “visibility” is your new career currencyCheck out the FULL Video via our YouTube: https://youtu.be/bJtLXO7pShQ----🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. ICD changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/