Treasury Leaders (Former Corporate Treasury 101)

In this episode of Treasury Leaders, host Philip Costa Hibberd, Co-founder of Automation Boutique, talks with Ben Poole, a journalist, editor, and interviewer specialising in corporate treasury and finance. They discuss the treasury's increasingly strategic role, the practical realities of AI adoption, real-time information, communication, and how treasurers can make better-informed decisions.

Drawing on 20 years covering the industry, including 15 years as a freelance journalist, Ben explains how he uncovers the stories behind treasury projects and change. His perspective connects the treasury's evolution through financial disruption with the skills, technology, and clear communication needed to address today’s challenges.

What You'll Learn in This Episode
How AI adoption depends on reliable source data, connected systems, and consistent information from across the business.
Why treasurers need to combine technology skills with the ability to communicate clearly with colleagues outside finance.
The goal of real-time treasury is access to complete, reliable information when a decision needs to be made, rather than reacting to every data change.
How experienced treasurers can provide context and judgement while newer entrants challenge established ways of working.
Why scenario planning is essential when macroeconomic and geopolitical disruption has become an expected part of treasury management.
How defining a problem in plain language can help teams assess whether a new technology has delivered a meaningful result.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps
[00:00] – Teaser
[01:05] – Welcome & Introduction to Treasury Leaders with Ben Poole
[04:39] – Constant Change: From GFC to COVID to Geopolitical Disruption
[09:17] – Business as Usual: Macroeconomic and Geopolitical Disruption
[13:15] – Real-Time Treasury: Information on Demand vs. Real-Time on Demand
[19:38] – Treasury as a Career Destination, Not Just a Stop on the Tour
[24:51] – What Treasurers Are Doing Well and What Makes Ben Hopeful
[27:05] – One Thing: Keep Coming Back to the Problem You're Trying to Solve
[27:56] – Closing Remarks and Thanks

Follow Our Guest Ben Poole:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpoole78/

Follow Treasury Leaders:
Website: https://corporate-treasury-101.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasury-leaders/

Treasury 360 sign-up link:
Link: https://treasury360europe.com

Follow Our Hosts:
Hussam Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussam-r-ali/
Guillaume Jouvencel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-jouvencel/
Jan-Willem Attevelt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attevelt/
Philip Costa Hibberd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-costa-hibberd/
GHA Marketing Website: https://ghapodcast.com/
Automation Boutique Website: https://automationboutique.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get $100 off any AFP product, including their CTP Exam Prep Platform, using our discount code! Find this and More on our partner's page:
https://corporate-treasury-101.com/partners-page/

In this episode of Treasury Leaders, host Philip Costa Hibberd, Co-founder of Automation Boutique, talks with Jennifer Pearson, Founder & Treasury Consultant of TreasuryEdge, about building treasury functions in startups and scale-ups, bringing corporate treasury expertise into fast-growing businesses, and creating a successful career in treasury.
Jennifer shares her journey from starting in finance at 18 through treasury roles at major organisations, including Procter & Gamble and Johnson Matthey, before moving into the startup world and launching TreasuryEdge. She explains why treasury is often overlooked in growing businesses, how poor treasury management can directly impact profitability, and why modern finance leaders need to take a more proactive approach to cash, FX, banking relationships, and risk management.
The conversation explores the differences between treasury in large corporations and startups, the role of treasury technology, cash forecasting, banking strategy, treasury policies, and how young professionals can build successful careers in treasury by developing ownership, curiosity, and strong networks.
Whether you're a treasury professional, CFO, founder, or someone considering a career in treasury, this episode offers practical insights into building resilient treasury operations and creating long-term business value.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Why Treasury Matters Earlier Than Most Businesses Think.
The Difference Between Corporate and Startup Treasury
How to Build Strong Treasury Foundations
Treasury Technology and Automation for Growing Businesses
Building a Successful Treasury Career

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps
[00:00] – Teaser
[01:08] – Introduction and Jennifer Pearson’s Treasury Journey
[03:41] – Launching TreasuryEdge and Supporting Scale-Ups
[05:13] – How Treasury Saves Companies Money
[06:57] – What Corporate Treasurers Can Learn from Startups
[12:43] – Common Treasury Mistakes in Startups and Scale-Ups
[14:59] – Treasury Technology and Automation
[23:07] – The First 100 Days: Building Treasury Foundations
[30:06] – Treasury Systems, Forecasting, and Cash Visibility
[37:30] – Building a Career in Treasury
[40:04] – Growing Your Professional Network and Personal Brand
[43:00] – One Key Lesson: Think Like an Owner
[43:54] – Closing Remarks

Follow Our Guest Jennifer Pearson:
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-pearson-04442bb9
Treasury Edge: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasury-edge/
Follow Treasury Leaders:
Website: https://corporate-treasury-101.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasury-leaders/
Follow Our Hosts:
Hussam Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussam-r-ali/
Guillaume Jouvencel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-jouvencel/
Jan-Willem Attevelt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attevelt/
Philip Costa Hibberd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-costa-hibberd/
GHA Marketing Website: https://ghapodcast.com/
Automation Boutique Website: https://automationboutique.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get $100 off any AFP product, including their CTP Exam Prep Platform, using our discount code! Find this and More on our partner's page
https://corporate-treasury-101.com/partners-page/

In this episode of Treasury Leaders, host Jan-Willem Attevelt, Co-founder of Automation Boutique, talks with Tracey Knight, Principal at Real Treasury, about the evolution of corporate treasury, the growing role of technology and AI, and how treasury teams can make smarter decisions through automation.
Tracey reflects on her 30-year treasury career, from manually collecting bank balances by phone to helping organisations navigate modern treasury technology. She shares practical insights on when companies should invest in treasury systems, the balance between buying and building technology, and how AI is changing forecasting, cash visibility, and treasury operations.
The conversation also explores treasury technology selection, the rise of new treasury platforms, stablecoins, differences between US and European treasury practices, and the skills treasury professionals need to succeed in an increasingly digital future.
Whether you're a treasury practitioner evaluating technology, a finance leader considering automation, or someone starting a career in treasury, this episode offers valuable perspectives on where treasury is today and where it's heading next.

What You'll Learn in This Episode
• When Treasury Technology Delivers the Greatest Value
How growing complexity, multiple bank relationships, and expanding operations create the need for treasury automation.
• The Practical Role of AI in Treasury
How AI is helping treasury teams improve forecasting, analyse large volumes of data, and automate routine tasks.
• How to Evaluate Treasury Systems Effectively
Why companies should focus on business requirements, scripted demos, and real-world use cases when selecting technology.
• The Buy vs Build Debate in Treasury Technology
The benefits and risks of building treasury tools internally versus investing in established treasury platforms.
• Preparing Treasury for the Future
How treasury professionals can stay relevant by embracing innovation, understanding the wider business, and focusing on strategic value creation.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps
[00:00] – Introduction
[04:46] – How Technology Has Transformed Treasury Operations
[13:21] – Knowing When to Invest in Treasury Automation
[19:47] – AI, Forecasting, and the Future of Treasury Technology
[28:11] – Buy vs Build: Choosing the Right Treasury Solution
[40:10] – Selecting the Right Treasury Management System
[01:05:41] – Stablecoins, Innovation, and the Future of Corporate Treasury
[01:10:00] – Skills, Leadership, and Advice for the Next Generation of Treasurers

Follow Our Guest Tracey Knight:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyfergusonknight/
Real Treasury: https://www.linkedin.com/company/realtreasury/

Follow Treasury Leaders:
Website: https://corporate-treasury-101.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasury-leaders/

Follow Our Hosts:
Hussam Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussam-r-ali/
Guillaume Jouvencel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-jouvencel/
Jan-Willem Attevelt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attevelt/
Philip Costa Hibberd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-costa-hibberd/
GHA Marketing Website: https://ghapodcast.com/
Automation Boutique Website: https://automationboutique.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get $100 off any AFP product, including their CTP Exam Prep Platform, using our discount code! Find this and More on our partner's page
https://corporate-treasury-101.com/partners-page/

In this episode of Treasury Leaders, host Jan-Willem Attevelt, Co-founder of Automation Boutique, talks with Nikos Polymenakos, Director of Treasury at Delta Foods SA, about the evolving role of treasury in modern business, the lessons learned from Greece’s financial crisis, and why treasury teams must move beyond operational tasks to become strategic business partners.
Nikos shares how his unconventional path into finance shaped his perspective on treasury as a discipline rooted in business understanding, relationships, and creativity rather than pure mathematics. Drawing from his experience leading treasury and finance responsibilities across a decentralised FMCG group, he explains why cash flow visibility, liquidity management, and strategic forecasting are essential for sustainable growth.
Whether you are focused on liquidity management, treasury transformation, forecasting, or the future of digital finance, this episode offers practical insights into how treasury leaders can create long-term strategic value for their organisations.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why treasury teams must understand the full business, not just finance
• How Greece’s financial crisis reshaped treasury and liquidity management
• The role of trade finance and cash flow forecasting in supporting growth
• Why AI in treasury depends on strong data foundations and human judgement
• How stablecoins and blockchain could reduce friction in global payments
Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

[00:00] – Nikos’ Journey into Treasury and Business Leadership
[05:36] – Lessons from Greece’s Financial Crisis and Liquidity Management
[14:27] – Trade Finance and Unlocking Working Capital
[19:14] – Implementing a Treasury Management System Across Subsidiaries
[24:12] – Building a 13-Week Rolling Cash Flow Forecast
[28:20] – AI in Treasury and the Importance of Clean Data
[35:34] – Stablecoins, Blockchain, and the Future of Payments
[48:56] – Why Treasurers Must Become Strategic Leaders
Follow Our Guest Nikos Polymenakos:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikos-polymenakos-8993551b/
Delta Foods: https://www.linkedin.com/company/delta-foods-sa/
Follow Treasury Leaders:
Website: https://corporate-treasury-101.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasury-leaders/
Follow Our Hosts:
Hussam Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussam-r-ali/
Guillaume Jouvencel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-jouvencel/
Jan-Willem Attevelt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attevelt/
Philip Costa Hibberd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-costa-hibberd/
GHA Marketing Website: https://ghapodcast.com/
Automation Boutique Website: https://automationboutique.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get $100 off any AFP product, including their CTP Exam Prep Platform, using our discount code! Find this and More on our partner's page
https://corporate-treasury-101.com/partners-page/

In this episode of Treasury Leaders, host Philip Costa Hibberd, Founder of Automation Boutique, speaks with Matthias Depoorter, Group Treasury Manager at Euroports, about the realities of bringing treasury control into a highly decentralised organisation.
Matthias shares how he is transforming treasury at Euroports by focusing on three key pillars: visibility, centralisation, and optimisation. With more than 100 entities, 180+ bank accounts, joint ventures, local banking relationships, and financing structure constraints, Matthias explains why traditional treasury models do not always fit real-world organisations.
The conversation dives deep into practical treasury architecture, including overlay cash management structures, notional pooling, MT940 and MT101 messaging, local bank relationships, API connectivity, and the role of AI in cash forecasting and treasury analytics. Matthias also shares lessons learned from implementing a global treasury visibility project while balancing operational realities and change management.
Whether you are building treasury infrastructure, improving cash visibility, or navigating decentralised banking environments, this episode provides practical insights into designing treasury structures that work in the real world.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Treasury Visibility First: Why daily cash visibility is the foundation for better treasury decisions.
Centralisation in Decentralised Organisations: How to improve liquidity management without disrupting local banking relationships.
Overlay Treasury Structures: How notional pooling and overlay banking can solve intercompany constraints.
Treasury Technology & APIs: The practical realities of APIs, MT messaging, and treasury connectivity.
AI in Treasury: How AI can support cash forecasting, bank fee analysis, and transaction insights.
Treasury Change Management: Why treasury transformation requires balancing operational needs with strategic goals.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:
[00:00] – Introduction
[02:23] – Building Daily Cash Visibility Across 100+ Entities
[07:54] – The Limits of Traditional Cash Pooling Structures
[12:22] – Implementing an Overlay Treasury Structure
[18:50] – Improving Liquidity Through Multi-Currency Notional Pooling
[38:03] – Prioritising Overlay Banking Over a Traditional TMS
[47:00] – Designing Treasury Around Business Reality
Follow our guest Matthias Depoorter:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthiasdepoorter/
Euroports: https://www.linkedin.com/company/euroports/
Follow Treasury Leaders:
Website: https://corporate-treasury-101.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasury-leaders/
Follow Our Hosts:
Hussam Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussam-r-ali/
Guillaume Jouvencel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-jouvencel/
Jan-Willem Attevelt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attevelt/
Philip Costa Hibberd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-costa-hibberd/
GHA Marketing Website: https://ghapodcast.com/
Automation Boutique Website: https://automationboutique.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Get $100 off any AFP product, including their CTP Exam Prep Platform, using our discount code! Find this and More on our partner's page
https://corporate-treasury-101.com/partners-page/