Member story: Tariq Kazi, FCT, Director of Corporate Finance, Optivo

1. Please provide a brief description of your career

Not-for-profit housing association treasurer with early career in private sector audit and corporate banking. Other roles included magistracy, charity trusteeships and board memberships.

2. What do you like about working in treasury?

Thinking ahead. Numbers combining with strategy to deliver the organisation’s mission.
Measurable targets. Stretching corporate and personal goals.
Professional relationships. Succeeding through others.

3. Why should members get involved with the ACT?

ACT professional exams, formal learning and informal peer group networking are a great way to keep up with the complexity and challenge of treasury and corporate financing profession.

4. What three words would you use to describe yourself?

Curious*
Hopeful
Grounded

* In a good way

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

Try again.

6. What would you like to achieve during your tenure on Council?

Be relevant to members’ evolving needs.
Support ACT leadership coming out of pandemic.
Help widen our international ambitions and other revenue opportunities.

7. What has been the most exciting project you have worked on to date?

2013-2016 out-of-the-box secondment from banking into government and discovering a new career direction after two decades in private sector.

8. What do you think the key challenges are for those who are working in treasury?

Cost inflation
Volatile markets
Quantitative tightening
Decarbonisation imperative
Personal resilience

9. What gadget could you not do without?

The detachable handle to my frying pan and saucepan set.

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

With Pakistani heritage, UAE upbringing and grown up time in London, I have three distinct social circles.