Tales From Treasury Podcast Series

In this second-half episode, Richard Hayler shares his thoughts on how ESG should look like for companies, and how treasurers and CFOs can foster a better environment of sustainability within their organisations.

Richard Hayler, CFO at Firebolt Group reveals his transition from a biochemistry graduate to a CFO at the experience economy sector, as well as how the role of CFO has evolved over the last 20 years.

Our editor speaks to Jean Lafontaine, global head of funding, M&A, and investor relations at Home Credit International, which recently celebrated its 25th year. Lafontaine offers insights into how he balances his function covering treasury and funding. He details his responsibilities in executing successful strategy across the firm's operational activity in nine international markets.  He shares his perspective on what led him to pursue his current role after a two-decade career in banking, and how his vast experience in relationship building helps drive forward the firm's funding progress and its establishment of 140 local partnerships.  With financial inclusion and responsible lending at the core of Home Credit International's corporate ethos, Lafontaine talks through his implementation of the ESG strategy and explains how tech is facilitating the expansion of the company's global reach. 

Our senior reporter speaks to Hugh Wu, vice president of treasury at Lenovo, who shares the reasons behind his decision to take up a treasury role after several CFO roles; how he managed to secure a new source of funding for the firm in times of distress; and why achieving a credit rating was so important to ensure future success. Wu also shares the most important lessons learned throughout his career to date and offers advice to young and aspiring corporate treasurers starting out today.

In the second episode of this two-part special featuring Randy Ou, vice president of group treasury at Alibaba, we learn how he balances an appetite for risk-taking with a function that is traditionally risk averse. Having grown up in Taiwan, Ou spent time studying overseas and stints in Hong Kong and Shanghai along the way, before moving to his base in Hangzhou – the location of the tech giant’s headquarters. As he embarks on his next decade in the industry, leading the financial strategy of the world’s largest online commerce platform, Ou discusses what shape the next generation of the treasury function is likely to take, as well as how the ongoing pandemic continues to shift the mindset of treasurers.

In the first episode of this two-part special featuring Randy Ou, vice president of group treasury at Alibaba, we learn exactly what about treasury makes him tick.  Having grown up in Taiwan, Ou spent time studying overseas and completed stints in Hong Kong and Shanghai along the way, before moving to his base in Hangzhou – the location of the tech giant’s headquarters.

As he embarks on his next decade leading the financial strategy of the world’s largest online commerce platform, Ou discusses the professional milestones that jumpstarted his financial career, the treasury themes that piqued his interest, and how he has strengthened his global treasury credentials over the years.

In this episode, we speak to Michael Ewison, group treasurer at Asahi Beverages, who recounts his career trajectory and shares the experiences that enabled him to become the strategic treasurer he is today. 

Ewison, who has been in the finance role for two decades, explains how the treasury function has evolved, from relying heavily on manual processes to being technology-focussed and forward-looking.

In this episode, Rakesh Kochhar, senior vice president of global treasury and sales finance at Nissan Motor Company details how working with debt investors during the 2007-8 global financial crisis made a lasting impression on his professional mindset.

He recounts his belief in how small steps can deliver incredible change and how exposure to diverse cultures and business functions taught him lessons around adaptability and empathy. All of the factors which led him to be the strategic treasurer he is today.

 Tune into the first podcast in our brand new series, an exclusive interview with the Fauji Foundation's divisional head of group treasury, Iqbal Mir.

We kick off the series by talking to Iqbal Mir, divisional head of group treasury and shared services at the Fauji Foundation Group in Pakistan (pictured). With over 16 years of experience leading projects across Asia and the Middle East, Mir’s treasury practice spans involvement in startups and acquisitions, offshore and onshore financial structuring, designing and implementing company-wide ERP solutions and procurement activity.