The Treasury Career Corner

How can you add value to your treasury team? No matter what role you’re in, always look for ways to add value and support your team. That’s the advice that Jan Beukes, Group Treasurer at MultiChoice Group, shares in this episode of The Treasury Career Corner. Prior to his role at MultiChoice Group, Jan has had roles as Group Treasurer at AFGRI Group Holdings and Group Corporate Finance Manager at AFGRI Operations. He has also given talks at the EuroFinance Effective Finance & Treasury Africa & Middle East event.Jan’s background was originally in accounting before moving to treasury. He has a master’s degree in Forensic Accounting from North-West University in South Africa.MultiChoice is Africa's leading entertainment company. They create and secure the rights to phenomenal content from all over the world. This gets delivered through their Direct To Home (DTH), Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), and online video entertainment services.Their entertainment platforms – DStv, GOtv, Showmax, and DStv Now – are a hub for approximately 14 million people across 50 countries. Through Irdeto, they are a world leader in digital platform security for video entertainment, connected transport, and IoT-connected industries.For this multinational group, Jan manages a centralised group treasury team overseeing all foreign exchange risk management activities, cash & liquidity optimisation structures, while also maintaining relationships with key regulatory, banking, and business partners.On the podcast, we discussed…How Jan first got started in the finance worldWhy emotional intelligence is an undervalued but vital skillWhy it’s so important to get out of your comfort zoneHow Jan likes to give his team exposure to different roles and skillsWhy good teamwork is vital in treasuryJan’s tips for those thinking of getting into treasuryYou can connect with Jan on LinkedIn.Are you interested in pursuing a career within Treasury? Whether you’ve recently graduated, or you want to search for new job opportunities to help develop your treasury career, The Treasury Recruitment Company can help you in your search for the perfect job. Find out more here. Or, send us your CV and let us help you in your next career move!If you’re enjoying the show please rate and review us on whatever podcast app you listen to us on, for Apple Podcasts click here!

Welcome to the 150th episode of The Treasury Career Corner podcast!If you’ve been following this podcast for a while now, you’ll have heard from top treasury professionals from around the world. In this episode, we turned the lens on the team behind the podcast – The Treasury Recruitment Company.Established in 2002, The Treasury Recruitment Company is a specialist recruitment agency that helps place treasury professionals at all levels from Treasury Analysts to Treasurers. We service clients throughout Europe, the US, Middle East, Far East, and Australasia to help treasury professionals find their dream jobs, no matter where they are. This 150th special episode gives you a look behind the curtain at the Treasury Recruitment team. We’ll be speaking with key members of the team - Carly, Eira, Joe, Katie, and finally CEO and Founder Mike Richards, about what goes on behind the scenes and what we love about the world of treasury. On this podcast, we discussed…Why each day in treasury recruitment is differentHow each member of the team ended up at The Treasury Recruitment CompanyWhat it takes to be a good treasury recruiterHow Mike first started the Treasury Recruitment CompanyWhy The Treasury Career Corner podcast was bornAre you interested in pursuing a career within Treasury? Whether you’ve recently graduated, or you want to search for new job opportunities to help develop your treasury career, The Treasury Recruitment Company can help you in your search for the perfect job. Find out more here. Or, send us your CV and let us help you in your next career move!If you’re enjoying the show please rate and review us on whatever podcast app you listen to us on, for Apple Podcasts click here!

How do you find a work-life balance in the busy world of treasury?In this episode of The Treasury Career Corner podcast, I’m joined again by Wade Olsen, Co-Founder of Treasury Suite, for part two of a special two-part episode.We cover some more of Wade’s impressive career by delving into his time as Central Treasury Officer for Chugach Alaska Corporation, which eventually turned into a remote role.Wade shares his thoughts about remote work and the challenges of maintaining a good work-life balance when working from home. He has previously spoken about this on LinkedIn as the pandemic made remote work essential for many.Wade then explains his ethos behind Treasury Suite, and how it was designed as a simpler alternative to more complex systems.Treasury Suite is a treasury technology solutions company that provides unique cash management, banking, and investor relations solutions. Treasury Suite exists to empower any treasury department, regardless of size or industry, with a leading global, scalable cloud-based treasury management system.Prior to Treasury Suite, Wade worked as Central Treasury Officer for Chugach Alaska Corporation, Treasurer & VP Investor Relations for AMI Semiconductor, Treasurer & Director Investor Relations for Iomega Corporation, VP of Operations & Treasurer for Consonus, and Director Investor Relations & Treasurer for TenFold.He is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) with a Master’s in International Management and MBA in Finance from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Wade also holds certificates in Japanese Business and Law and a BA in Finance with a Minor in Japanese.On the podcast, we discussed…Wade’s background at Chugach Alaska Corporation and how the role became remoteThe challenges of maintaining a good work-life balance at homeWhy Wade wanted to build a more efficient treasury systemWade’s unique take on data sensitivity in marketingWhy family and feeling centred at home are so importantWhy those new to the industry should prioritise experiences over salaryYou can connect with Wade on LinkedIn or learn more about Treasury Suite on their website.Are you interested in pursuing a career within Treasury?Whether you’ve recently graduated, or you want to search for new job opportunities to help develop your treasury career, The Treasury Recruitment Company can help you in your search for the perfect job. Find out more here. Or, send us your CV and let us help you in your next career move!If you’re enjoying the show please rate and review us on whatever podcast app you listen to us on, for Apple Podcasts click here!

How do you deal with challenges, changes, and demanding roles in treasury?In this episode of The Treasury Career Corner podcast, I speak with Wade Olsen, Co-Founder of Treasury Suite, in a brand-new two-part episode.We discuss his fascinating globe-trotting career in finance and everything that led to his decision to co-found Treasury Suite. Wade also shares some of his best tips for anyone looking to succeed in a treasury career. He speaks about why you must “embrace the chaos” and learn from all the different career challenges treasury offers up.Treasury Suite is a treasury technology solutions company that provides unique cash management, banking, and investor relations solutions. Treasury Suite exists to empower any treasury department, regardless of size or industry, with a leading global, scalable cloud-based treasury management system.Prior to Treasury Suite, Wade worked as Central Treasury Officer for Chugach Alaska Corporation, Treasurer & VP Investor Relations for AMI Semiconductor, Treasurer & Director Investor Relations for Iomega Corporation, VP of Operations & Treasurer for Consonus, and Director Investor Relations & Treasurer for TenFold.He is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) with a Master’s in International Management and MBA in Finance from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Wade also holds certificates in Japanese Business and Law and a BA in Finance with a Minor in Japanese.On the podcast, we discussed…How Wade started out in finance and treasuryWhy Wade believes you need to “embrace the chaos”How you can learn a lot from challenging rolesWhy Utah is such a hub for finance and businessWhy Wade began thinking of a new treasury software solutionYou can connect with Wade on LinkedIn or learn more about Treasury Suite on their website.Are you interested in pursuing a career within Treasury? Whether you’ve recently graduated, or you want to search for new job opportunities to help develop your treasury career, The Treasury Recruitment Company can help you in your search for the perfect job. Find out more here. Or, send us your CV and let us help you in your next career move!If you’re enjoying the show please rate and review us on whatever podcast app you listen to us on, for Apple Podcasts click here!

How can you give back and create a positive impact in treasury?In this episode of The Treasury Career Corner podcast, I speak with Caroline Stockmann, Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers, since February 2017.We discuss her fascinatingly varied background in the arts, charity, and finance and how she eventually became a treasury professional. Using her background in charity, she’s dedicated to giving back and creating a positive impact in every role she’s been in. She also shares some of the wellbeing practices the ACT now uses in the face of COVID-19 challenges.Prior to her role at the ACT, Caroline held the position of Chief Financial Officer at The British Council, the UK’s largest charity, and before that at Save the Children International. She has 25 years’ experience in senior finance, commercial and strategic posts at a number of commercial organisations, including Novartis Pharmaceuticals (Switzerland), Cadbury Schweppes, Granada plc, and Unilever/Bestfoods (Thailand, Netherlands, and UK). Much of her working life has been spent overseas.Caroline trained with KPMG and is a Fellow (FCA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW). She has an ICAEW Diploma in Charity Accounting and has filled numerous roles on boards over the years. Some current roles include being a member of the Finance and Investment Committee of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Deputy Chair of the European Association of Corporate Treasurers, and the International Group of Treasury Associations, as well as President of the National Association of Corporate Treasurers (US). Caroline is a linguist, musician, trained coach, and passionate bell-ringer and is married with two children. Check out her weekly podcasts at www.treasurers.org/strategic-insights-podcasts.On the podcast, we discussed…How Caroline’s varied background eventually led her to finance and treasuryThe importance of taking new opportunities and trying new thingsWhy Caroline believes the most important thing is relationships and connectionHow the ACT has reacted to COVID-19 with new wellbeing practicesThe challenges ahead in the future of treasuryCaroline’s tips for those interested in a treasury careerYou can connect with Caroline on LinkedIn.Are you interested in pursuing a career within Treasury?Whether you’ve recently graduated, or you want to search for new job opportunities to help develop your treasury career, The Treasury Recruitment Company can help you in your search for the perfect job. Find out more here. Or, send us your CV and let us help you in your next career move!If you’re enjoying the show please rate and review us on whatever podcast app you listen to us on, for Apple Podcasts click here!

Is automation the solution to challenges in treasury?In this episode of The Treasury Career Corner podcast, I speak with Vasu Reddy, Treasury Director – Africa at GE. He discusses the challenges of working with multiple countries in South and Central Africa, handling different languages, currencies, and processes. He believes that automation and AI are the solutions to dealing with outdated treasury systems.Vasu is responsible for providing a strategic and operational overview on global funding, cash, investments, borrowings and foreign exchange management, and other treasury services for GE's operations. This includes trade finance and guarantees, credit risk, factoring, insurance, M&A transactions, and repatriations in Sub-Saharan Africa which spans over 25 countries.He also supports the business needs for providing strategic advice on contract structuring, currency and cash restrictions, market research, indicative pricing, and hedging and liquidity strategies. As well as this, he’s responsible for establishing and maintaining global, regional, and local banking relationships with preferred and approved banks, central banks, and financial institutions.Vasu joined GE from Chevron, South Africa, where he was the Senior Treasury Manager, covering South & Central Africa for seven years. Prior to that, he was at Land and Development Bank of SA before spending six years at Woolworths Holdings Ltd. He is a highly experienced professional with 24 years’ treasury, banking, and finance experience, having worked in multinational companies in retail, banking, oil & gas sectors, and diversified manufacturing and industrials. Vasu holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree, an Honours degree in Financial Management from the University of Cape Town, a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting from the University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. He also completed the Leadership Executive Program at the Graduate School of Business, Cape Town. Vasu is a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers, South Africa.On the podcast, we discussed…Vasu’s background in accounting and finance managementWhy Vasu believes that treasury roles are varied and far from mundaneHow dealing with multiple different cultures, currencies, languages, and processes is a challengeWhy automation and new tech is vital for banks and treasury departments to invest inThe challenge of remote work when working with lots of different peopleVasu’s tips for getting ahead in a treasury role.You can connect with Vasu on LinkedIn.Are you interested in pursuing a career within Treasury? Whether you’ve recently graduated, or you want to search for new job opportunities to help develop your treasury career, The Treasury Recruitment Company can help you in your search for the perfect job. Find out more here. Or, send us your CV and let us help you in your next career move!If you’re enjoying the show please rate and review us on whatever podcast app you listen to us on, for Apple Podcasts click here! 

Is face-to-face communication still necessary in modern treasury?In this episode of The Treasury Career Corner podcast, I speak with Luc Vlaminck, Group Treasurer at Rémy Cointreau. He discusses why remote working is great, but face-to-face communication is more natural and effective. He shares his thoughts on the future of remote and flexible working.Rémy Cointreau is a French family-run Group whose origins date back to 1724. The Group has an international portfolio of spirits (cognac, liqueurs, and spirits) and is the result of the 1990 merger of holding companies owned by the Hériard Dubreuil and Cointreau families, which controlled E. Rémy Martin & Cie SA and Cointreau & Cie SA, respectively. The Group is also the result of successive partnerships with other companies active in the same wines and spirits business lines. Today, approximately 1,800 employees are working within the Group around the world.Prior to Rémy Cointreau, Luc had roles at S.W.I.F.T, UCB and the Ingram Micro Coordination Centre. Luc is also a lecturer at ICHEC, an active member of the Payment Harmonization Commission of the EACT, and the SEPA End-Users consultation group at ECB. As of 2013, he has also been a board member of Goods to Give, a not-for-profit organization.On the podcast, we discussed…Luc’s varied career across accounting and treasuryThe challenges of working with big multinational companiesThe importance of face-to-face communication Why flexibility is important to keep workers happyWhy it’s important to give back to the communityLuc’s top tips for anyone interested in a career in treasuryYou can connect with Luc on LinkedIn.Are you interested in pursuing a career within Treasury? Whether you’ve recently graduated, or you want to search for new job opportunities to help develop your treasury career, The Treasury Recruitment Company can help you in your search for the perfect job. Find out more here. Or, send us your CV and let us help you in your next career move!If you’re enjoying the show, please rate and review us on whatever podcast app you listen to us on, for Apple Podcasts click here! 

How do you maintain great working relationships in the treasury profession? In this episode of The Treasury Career Corner podcast, I speak with Anh Duong, Group Treasury Director at ERM. We discuss the need for good communication and the surprising effects of working from home during the pandemic. He shares his thoughts on the pros and cons of working from home, the work-life balance, and the importance of face-to-face interactions.ERM is an ESG consulting company with approximately 100 BUs, 5,000 people operating in 40 countries across six continents. ERM is a private equity-backed business whose principal investors are its 700 partners, AIMCo and OMERS (AIMCO and OMERS, two large Canadian retirement funds with $100b AUM).Prior to ERM, Anh had roles as Head of Treasury at Imperial College London, Head of Forward FX and Interest Rate Risk Management at BP plc, and Interest Rate Derivatives Trader at Barclays Capital.On the podcast, we discussed…The importance of being flexible and diplomatic when joining a new team of peopleThe importance of earning respect by doing good workThe effects of working from home on team communication and the work-life balanceWhy Anh often prefers phone calls over email to solve problemsWhy face-to-face interaction is so importantEssential skills needed in treasury.You can connect with Anh on LinkedIn.Are you interested in pursuing a career within Treasury? Whether you’ve recently graduated, or you want to search for new job opportunities to help develop your treasury career, The Treasury Recruitment Company can help you in your search for the perfect job. Find out more here. Or, send us your CV and let us help you in your next career move!If you’re enjoying the show please rate and review us on whatever podcast app you listen to us on, for Apple Podcasts click here!

What is the best way to learn and grow in a treasury role? In this episode of The Treasury Career Corner podcast, I speak with Jesper Nielsen-Terp, Treasury and Credit Risk Management expert. He believes that one of the most important things you can do in your career is to always ask questions.We discuss how asking questions and getting advice can help you learn and make better decisions. We also talk about the best ways to implement new treasury systems, and why you should always be open to new processes. Jesper is an international and experienced Treasury, Risk, Cash, and Portfolio Manager/Executive with more than 20 years combined experience from the corporate treasury, credit, and banking/financial industries. He recently added strategic education from IMD to his portfolio. In the last 14 years, Jesper went from Treasury Analyst to Corporate Treasurer, working for a Fortune 500 company and, recently, a large international trading house. In those positions, he headed and designed corporate treasury functions, starting with a Blank Sheet Treasury to a full-scale implementation. This included people management and coaching highly professional employees, which enabled the team to excel in a high-performing organization.On the podcast, we discussed…Why it’s so important to ask questions in treasuryWhy it’s vital to revaluate treasury systems to improve efficiencyHow to choose the best treasury systemThe best ways to implement treasury system changesJesper’s advice for those looking to take a similar career pathYou can connect Jesper on LinkedIn.You can also read Jesper's article 'Blank Sheet Treasury – a Guideline answering the “How”, “When” and “Why”' here.Are you interested in pursuing a career within Treasury? Whether you’ve recently graduated, or you want to search for new job opportunities to help develop your treasury career, The Treasury Recruitment Company can help you in your search for the perfect job. Find out more here. Or, send us your CV and let us help you in your next career move!If you’re enjoying the show please rate and review us on whatever podcast app you listen to us on, for Apple Podcasts click here!

How important is networking to getting ahead in a treasury career? In this episode of the Treasury Career Corner podcast, I speak with Remco de Vries, Group Treasurer at Experian, about networking in a treasury career. He discusses his accounting background and how trying new things and getting out of his comfort zone got him to where he is now.Experian is an Anglo-Irish multinational consumer credit reporting company. Experian collects and aggregates information on over 1 billion people and businesses, including 235 million individual U.S. consumers and more than 25 million U.S. businesses.Based in Dublin, Ireland, the company operates in 37 countries with offices in Brazil, the UK, and the United States. The company employs approximately 17,000 people and reported revenue of $5.2 billion for the fiscal year that ended in March 2020. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. Remco has been Experian’s Group Treasurer since 2015 and is responsible for Experian’s global corporate treasury activities, which include funding, risk management, and cash management. Remco began his career with accountancy firm PwC in the Netherlands, where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant.Remco worked for two years at PwC Birmingham, working mainly with large corporates. He then joined GUS plc in 2005 and was involved in setting up Experian’s treasury operations at its corporate head office in Dublin in 2007 after the group’s demerger. Remco holds a master’s degree in Business Economics, is a member of the Dutch Institute of Chartered Accountants (NBA), and is an Associate Member of the ACT.On the podcast, we discussed…Remco’s background in accounting and financeThe benefits of starting with back-office treasury experienceThe challenges of recruiting the right people for treasury rolesHow Remco progressed in his careerWhy events and conferences are so useful to getting ahead in treasuryWhy it’s essential to get out of your comfort zone and try new things.You can connect with Remco on LinkedIn.Are you interested in pursuing a career within Treasury? Whether you’ve recently graduated, or you want to search for new job opportunities to help develop your treasury career, The Treasury Recruitment Company can help you in your search for the perfect job. Find out more here. Or, send us your CV and let us help you in your next career move!If you’re enjoying the show please rate and review us on whatever podcast app you listen to us on, for Apple Podcasts click here!