Treasury is a well-established community—so utilise it
VIDEO | “Treasury is one of the coolest places to work, not only for the vital role it plays within a company but also for the unique community it fosters. The network you build and the level of information you can access are unparalleled," advises Linette Nielsen, corporate vice president and head of treasury at Novo Nordisk and a panelist at the "Skills through Generations: Seniors’ Panel" session. "In treasury, we have a well-established community—so utilise it."
A distinguished panel of seasoned finance professionals shared their insights and foresight on the treasury profession. The panelists reflected on their own career journeys, providing a retrospective analysis of how treasury practices have evolved. They also looked ahead, outlining the strategies and innovations necessary for treasuries to remain both attractive and effective.
When asked if there is a generation gap in treasury, Christian Lintner, head of treasury at Svitzer, disagreed. “It’s all about attitude and mindset. You don’t get into treasury unless you’re driven to accomplish something. The competition to enter the field is rigorous; age and gender do not matter. There is room for everybody, but you need to demonstrate the right mindset to get in.”
Claudine Smith, CEO of BNP Paribas Norway, ends the session with some advise from the outside: “ Don’t be afraid to talk to your bank. Present the reality as it is and be upfront about the issues you face. Companies go through cycles, and this openness creates trust. Test your bankers. You may not like what you hear every time, but it’s crucial because our job is complex and constantly evolving. This will help us make better decisions.”
Linette Nielsen is corporate vice president, head of treasury at Novo Nordisk
Claudine Smith is CEO at BNP Paribas Norway
Christian Lintner is head of treasury at Svitzer
The session was led by track moderator Jan Dirk van Beusekom, head of marketing, BNP Paribas Cash Management, Trade Solutions & Factoring.
This is part one of a discussion about treasury skills through generations. Part two was about skills for junior treasurers. Check here for coverage of that session.
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