The Treasury Career Corner

Treasury and tax are often treated as separate functions, but when capital, cash, risk, debt, and business strategy are all connected, working in silos can create costly problems.
In this episode, we chat with Robert Westreich, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Tax Officer at Newell Brands and explore why modern treasury leaders need curiosity, cross-functional awareness, and strong communication to make better decisions for the business.
Robert currently serves as Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Tax Officer of Newell Brands, where he leads the company’s global tax, treasury, and global business services organizations.
On the podcast Robert shares how his career evolved from tax into treasury, and how intellectual curiosity helped him move across functions, build broader business understanding, and take on increasingly complex leadership responsibilities.
The conversation explores the powerful connection between tax and treasury, particularly around cash movement, capital structure, debt management, repatriation, acquisitions, divestitures, and risk. Robert explains why treasury professionals do not need to become tax experts, but they do need to understand how tax decisions can affect treasury outcomes, and vice versa.
The episode also covers leadership, team empowerment, AI in finance, and practical career advice for treasury professionals at every level.
What We Cover in This Episode:
How curiosity helped Robert move from tax into treasury leadership.
Why tax, treasury, legal, and business strategy are more connected than ever.
The hidden tension between tax efficiency and treasury’s need for cash.
Why siloed teams can accidentally disrupt major transactions.
How tax and treasury meetings create better visibility and fewer surprises.
What treasury leaders must understand about debt, credit ratings, covenants, and capital structure.
How to lead complex global teams without getting lost in the detail.
Why empowered people are essential for managing fast-moving workstreams.
Where AI can genuinely improve treasury, tax, and finance processes.
Why AI still needs human judgment when mistakes can cost millions.
How early-career treasury professionals can turn repetitive work into career advantage.
Why putting your hand up can open doors long before a formal review.

You can connect with Robert Westreich on LinkedIn.
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Treasury technology is moving fast, but the real value comes from knowing what problem you are trying to solve before choosing the system, tool, or innovation to help you solve it.
In this returning guest episode, host Mike Richards welcomes back Séverine Le Blévennec, Global Head of Treasury at Aliaxis.
On this week’s podcast we welcome back Séverine Le Blévennec, Global Head of Treasury at Aliaxis, for an update on her treasury transformation journey. Having joined the show previously, Séverine returns to share what has changed over the past few years, how the treasury function at Aliaxis has evolved, and why technology, AI, governance, and data quality must all be connected to real business needs.
Séverine discusses the progress made in building a more mature global treasury function, including the creation of a global treasury community, the implementation of treasury technology, the rollout of a payment hub, improved cash visibility, stronger governance, and the importance of developing treasury talent. She also shares her views on AI in treasury, explaining why teams need to balance opportunity with risk, and why clean data, transparency, and strong fundamentals matter more than ever.
Main topics discussed:
Aliaxis’ treasury transformation journey and progress toward greater maturity.
Building a clearer global treasury community with stronger ownership.
Choosing treasury technology based on real problems, not buzzwords.
Rolling out treasury systems, payment hubs, and cash visibility tools.
Strengthening governance, policies, controls, and treasury processes.
Supporting regional treasury teams while respecting local complexity.
Managing AI opportunities, risks, governance, and data quality.
Developing treasury talent through learning, cross-training, and knowledge sharing.
Challenging the status quo and expanding treasury’s business value.
Keeping treasury strategic while embracing technology and innovation.

You can connect with Séverine Le Blévennec on LinkedIn.
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🌍 EuroFinance International Treasury Management – September 16th-18th 2026, Barcelona – The world's largest treasury event. Save 10% with our exclusive discount code: MKTG/B/TRP10. Book here: https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/eurofinance/
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Treasury is no longer a quiet back-office function that only gets noticed when cash runs short.
In this live Treasury Career Corner panel, three senior treasury leaders explain how trust, relationships, commercial understanding, and curiosity are what truly help treasury earn influence across the business.
Meet the Guests:
Louise Woodroffe, Head of Treasury at Hastings Direct
Mike Tackley, Global Head of Treasury, Howden Insurance
Joanne McCormack, Treasury Director

In this live recorded episode from our Treasury Career Corner event in London, host Mike Richards is joined by:
Louise Woodroffe, Head of Treasury at Hastings Direct, with previous treasury experience at Marks & Spencer, Burberry, and across mining and real estate.
Mike Tackley, Global Head of Treasury, Howden Insurance, with previous experience scaling the treasury function at Chrysaor and working across treasury roles at BG Group.
Joanne McCormack - An experienced treasury leader whose career has taken her through Time Warner Inc, Warner Music Group, GE Capital Real Estate, Travelport, and Interpublic Group.

This episode explores what it really takes to build a successful treasury career and become a trusted voice within the wider business. The panel discusses how their careers evolved across different industries, why treasury professionals need to understand the business behind the numbers, and how strong relationships can open doors that technical skills alone cannot.
The conversation also looks at the future of treasury, including the role of AI, automation, data quality, and prompt skills. While technology is becoming more important, the panel is clear that human judgement, commercial awareness, and trust remain essential.
Key topics discussed:
How each guest found their way into treasury through different routes and career paths.
Why treasury professionals should stay open to opportunities rather than relying only on a fixed career plan.
The importance of understanding the business, not just the treasury function.
How treasury earns a seat at the table by building trust, protecting the business, and adding commercial value.
Why relationship-building is essential when joining a new company or building a treasury function from scratch.
How treasury teams can become stronger business partners across the business.
The role of AI and automation in treasury.
How networking, recruiters, and industry events can shape long-term career opportunities.
What hiring managers really look for.
Why technical qualifications such as ACT can help open doors, but behaviours and relationships often determine progression.

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🎓 Exclusive discount on CTP & FPAC – Visit our AFP partner page to find out how much you can save: https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/afp/
💡 Earn CTP credits just by listening – Selected episodes of the Treasury Career Corner are AFP-accredited. Listen, take a short quiz, score 80% or more, and we'll send you your free certificate. Filter by CTP Eligible at https://treasuryrecruitment.com/podcasts/
🌍 EuroFinance International Treasury Management – September 16th-18th 2026, Barcelona – The world's largest treasury event. Save 10% with our exclusive discount code: MKTG/B/TRP10. Book here: https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/eurofinance/
👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/

What does it really take to step into a Group Treasurer role?
In this episode, Kate Randall, Group Treasurer at Balfour Beatty plc shares why treasury leadership is about far more than technical knowledge, covering confidence, decision-making, stakeholder management, bank relationships, AI and the importance of staying curious throughout your career.
Kate Randall is Group Treasurer at Balfour Beatty plc, a leading international infrastructure group operating across the UK, US and Hong Kong.
On this episode Kate shares how she found her way into treasury after an early career in finance, and how curiosity, resilience and strong mentors helped shape her progression.
She also discusses her move into the Group Treasurer role at Balfour Beatty, the leadership shift that comes with stepping up, and why treasury professionals need to build confidence, relationships and commercial judgement alongside technical skills.
This episode is a great reminder that treasury careers are rarely perfectly planned. Kate’s story shows how asking questions, taking opportunities before you feel fully ready, and learning to back yourself can shape a successful treasury leadership career.
What We Cover in This Episode:
Kate’s move from finance into treasury
Early career setbacks and rebuilding confidence
The role of curiosity in discovering and growing within treasury
Learning through the financial crisis and wider project roles
The value of mentoring, sponsorship and strong role models
Stepping up from Deputy Group Treasurer to Group Treasurer
Why treasury leadership relies on influence, judgement and relationships
AI, TMS implementation and the importance of cash forecasting at Balfour Beatty

You can connect with Kate Randall on LinkedIn.
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🎓 Exclusive discount on CTP & FPAC – Visit our AFP partner page to find out how much you can save: https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/afp/
💡 Earn CTP credits just by listening – Selected episodes of the Treasury Career Corner are AFP-accredited. Listen, take a short quiz, score 80% or more, and we'll send you your free certificate. Filter by CTP Eligible at https://treasuryrecruitment.com/podcasts/
🌍 EuroFinance International Treasury Management – September 16th-18th 2026, Barcelona – The world's largest treasury event. Save 10% with our exclusive discount code: MKTG/B/TRP10. Book here: https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/eurofinance/
👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/

In a profession defined by uncertainty, the treasury leaders who thrive are the ones who never stop learning.
In this live Treasury Career Corner panel discussion from our Amsterdam event, three experienced treasury leaders explore why curiosity, continuous learning, networking, and understanding the wider business are the skills that drive long-term success in treasury.
Meet the Guests:
Marco Schuchmann, Director Treasury at Bruker
Lorena Pérez Sandroni, Group Treasurer at TMF Group
Feliks Indenbaum, Head of Group Treasury, JetBrains

Recorded live in Amsterdam, this Treasury Career Corner panel brings together three senior treasury professionals to discuss how treasury careers are built, developed, and sustained in an increasingly complex business environment.
The conversation explores the importance of curiosity, proactive learning, networking, leadership, and understanding the wider business. The panel also shares practical insights on managing treasury teams, embracing technology and AI responsibly, handling uncertainty, and preparing for the future of the profession.
Whether you're just starting your treasury career or leading a global treasury function, this episode provides valuable lessons on developing the skills that matter most.
Key topics discussed:
How each panellist found their way into treasury and built their career
Building treasury functions from the ground up
Why curiosity remains one of the most valuable career skills in treasury
Developing both technical treasury expertise and soft skills
How treasury professionals can become better business partners
The role of networking in career development and professional growth
Building relationships across the organisation to create influence
Creating a culture where teams can learn from mistakes
Developing future treasury leaders through trust and empowerment
How AI and technology are changing treasury operations
Why treasury remains cautious in adopting new technologies
Managing uncertainty, volatility, and financial risk
The future direction of treasury and the evolving role of the treasurer
Building high-performing treasury teams and securing resources for growth

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🎓 Exclusive discount on CTP & FPAC – Visit our AFP partner page to find out how much you can save: https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/afp/
💡 Earn CTP credits just by listening – Selected episodes of the Treasury Career Corner are AFP-accredited. Listen, take a short quiz, score 80% or more, and we'll send you your free certificate. Filter by CTP Eligible at https://treasuryrecruitment.com/podcasts/
🌍 EuroFinance International Treasury Management – September 16th-18th 2026, Barcelona – The world's largest treasury event. Save 10% with our exclusive discount code: MKTG/B/TRP10. Book here: https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/eurofinance/
👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/