Member story: Dino Nicolaides, Managing Director, Head of Treasury Advisory UK & Ireland, Redbridge Debt & Treasury Advisory

1. Please provide a brief overview of your career to date.

Having completed my degree in Economics from Cambridge University, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Financial Services Audit of a Big 4 Accountancy firm in London. I then moved to Cyprus as an Audit and Advisory partner in a local firm. Most of my advisory work was in finance and treasury so in 2004 I qualified with the ACT, which was a stepping-stone in my career. In 2007, I returned to London and have since been advising FTSE 350 and other global corporates in key areas of treasury as well as performing numerous secondments in senior treasury roles.

2. What do you like about working with treasurers?

Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of a treasury function, which in my view is the life-blood of the organisation and a key component to its success.

3. What has been the most exciting project you have worked on and why?

Setting up the treasury function of a global fast growing corporate, head quartered in the Middle East! It was a 7-month long project, based in the UAE, where, unlike most projects, I had to start on a clean page! It entailed every aspect of treasury from strategy to day-to-day operations and controls. The key was not just to set up what would work for the group at that point in time but to also future proof this in line with their ambitious corporate strategy; and it all happened while living and breathing a culture so different to ours!

4. What do you think is the greatest challenge facing treasurers today?

Brexit, that creates uncertainty across many fronts, from regulation to strategic direction and operational practices.

5. What advice would you give to anyone thinking of taking ACT qualifications?

I cannot imagine an ambitious professional trying to pursue a career in treasury without considering the ACT qualifications! I would also strongly recommend them to people whose roles are not exclusively in treasury – this was, in fact, the position I was in when I decided to do the AMCT back in 2004!

6. What member benefits do you use most?

I regularly read “The Treasurer”, attend Webinars on key topics of interest and have attended the ACT Conference for many years. I find these sources extremely useful in staying on top of what is happening in our profession and developing my technical skills further.

I also enjoy the ACT networking events such as the ACT Dinner and find the Diversity and Inclusion agenda particularly powerful in bringing members together.

7. What 3 words best describe you.

Personable, principled and driven.

8. What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Sleep well at night so that you glow during the day.

9. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I am a professionally trained coffee barista and roaster.

10. It’s the ACT’s 40th anniversary year. What is your reflection of the ACT?

In my view, in the last 40 years the ACT played a significant role in the development of the treasury profession and the profile of the treasurer within it that has grown from strength to strength – that alone says it all! Happy 40th birthday ACT!