We’re a bit too far into 2016 to pretend that this blog is a New Year thought-provoking piece where I cast a sentimental glance back at the previous 12 months in the treasury world and consider what might be on the horizon, offering as I do so, some poignant tips and advice about what’s to come. No, I’ll come clean – recently I was asked to speak at the 1TC Treasury Convention and this gave me a chance to think about more than just the last 12 months. I took the opportunity to look back over my own time in treasury (slightly more than 12 months...!) and I’d like to share some of my thoughts before offering advice that extends beyond 2016 to your whole career.
Treasury has provided the backbone to my career. The treasury skills I started learning 30 years ago, and continually updated since, have given me the confidence to tackle some tough, but really interesting, corporate business problems. I have met and worked with a huge number of talented professionals across six continents from many professional disciplines, markets and cultures. It has been great fun, and still is.
As Chief Executive of the ACT, my job is to support all those who are in the treasury profession as they undertake their roles. My job is also to look far into the future, and to try and anticipate how the treasurer’s role is likely to evolve, then to help ensure that the necessary support is in place for treasury professionals during their careers. I believe that we are about to enter the “age of the treasurer”. It’s exciting, but it’s also scary. Which leads me onto offering some advice, something I’m sure you’ve been hotly anticipating as you’ve been reading…! But rather than be didactic about it, I think it’s more useful to proffer some questions:
Quite frankly, I don’t have all the answers. However, my ultimate advice to all of you is to stay on top of the trends. This has always served me well in whatever I have been doing.
I’m sure you’ll be pleased to read that this is my first blog in a series where I’ll be suggesting ways you can stay on top of treasury trends. Look out for my next post and please feel free to comment on this one or share it with your colleagues.
