As a discipline, treasury has a critical role to play in helping deliver company success. Their critical role in areas such as M&A and cash management is well known, but a treasurer involved in broader business-strategy can also provide significant value by helping drive business expansion plans as well as launching initiatives and helping deliver strategic change throughout the business. A strong Group Treasurer can make a significant business difference far beyond treasury itself, having an input into direction of the business as well as ensuring this is delivered.

However, being afforded this level of responsibility and being able to exert influence is not a given within most companies. Becoming a “strategic treasurer” requires change and direction from the treasurer themselves, as well as an understanding at board-level of the value they can bring. In this wide-ranging keynote interview, Carlos de la Peña, SVP Treasury at BP, will consider the role Treasury should have at board level and the value this can bring. The conversation will consider:

• How can a treasurer maintain a presence throughout the business and ensure visibility beyond the boundaries of treasury?
• What value can the treasurer give when involved in strategic business decisions, and how can they ensure their voice is heard
• What are the soft skills needed to exert influence at a leadership level of an organisation?
• How can you overcome a more traditional idea of the role of treasurer and change entrenched perceptions?