I graduated from the University of St. Andrews in 2018 with an offer to join the graduate scheme at MUFG. I started my career within the Coverage team with a focus on corporates in the General Industries space in the UK. As a Coverage Banker, we are client-focused, working across the bank’s product suite (covering funding, heading and transaction banking) as well as the network. I completed the graduate scheme in February 2020 and have since been promoted to Associate.
As a Coverage Banker, I am exposed totTreasury on a day-to-day basis through my engagement with clients. What I like the most about my role is the dynamic nature which ensures that no day is ever the same. Treasury makes up a core component of any corporate and especially in a post COVID-19 world, plays a key role in the success of a business. The ability to build client relationships, the challenge to think outside of the box to distinguish yourself from other banks and the possibility to engage in problem-solving is what excites me the most.
The Future Leaders in Treasury group provides a common platform for people in similar roles to build their network, enhance their knowledge and obtain advice on professional development. The group provides tailored content covering topics such as technical learning and career development advice, delivering this in a variety of ways such as through articles, webinars and in-person events. As such, for those starting their careers, it acts as a unique yet valuable way to better understand what are the most important aspects to focus on during the early stages of your career, whilst expanding your networks.
The pandemic has truly highlighted the strategic importance of the role that treasury plays within a corporate of any size. From the very start, corporate treasuries were under increased pressure, having to adapt their funding and hedging strategies in addition to alleviating supply chain disruption and improving cash flow visibility. Corporate treasuries that were able to adapt quicker were ultimately in a better position. The pandemic was also a catalyst for corporates to revisit methods of measuring and managing risk, highlighting the importance of engraining this within the organisational culture.
From a bank’s perspective, our key objective at MUFG has been to support our clients as best as we could during this turbulent period. Our aim was always to provide innovative solutions that would allow them to continue optimising their operations. There was an increased need for more in depth due diligence, which required us to have more frequent dialogue than ever before. As such, we worked closely with the corporates in order to assess the full risk of any transaction the bank was signing up to.
Now that we are coming out on the other side, I think it is safe to say that treasurers should always be prepared for a black swan event such as this, and there are many lessons to be learnt from the last 18 months.
Diligent, adaptive and determined.
As cliché as it may sound, my father is my true role model and inspiration. He has taught me to live my life with a curious mind, to never give up and to treat people with respect. The combination of these three things will open many doors.
Feel comfortable feeling uncomfortable. It’s the only way to be better tomorrow than you are today.
Future Leaders in Treasury LinkedIn group and resources.
My juicer. I’m a creature of habit and like starting my day in the exact same way. I truly believe in the idea of healthy body, healthy mind!
What it takes by Stephen Schwarzman.