The treasury profession is evolving rapidly and the path to a successful treasury career has never been defined by a single, linear route or purely technical expertise. At a recent NatWest Treasury Academy event, respected industry leaders including Group Treasurers Tim Woodthorpe (GSK) and Donal Quaid (NatWest), alongside Janet Legge from the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) and recruitment expert Stephanie Grainger, shared their insights on what it takes for junior treasury professionals to thrive in the current landscape as well as how to build future-ready skills as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools reshape how we work.

One clear message across the panel was the critical importance of learning agility. Tim Woodthorpe emphasised that junior roles are constantly evolving – the knowledge you start with won’t be the same knowledge you need in five years. Being curious, proactive, and willing to learn new skills quickly is essential. He noted, “The earlier you can understand how different parts fit together in treasury and the wider business, the better.”

Stephanie Grainger reinforced this mindset, encouraging juniors to embrace imperfect moves in their careers. Rather than waiting for the perfect role, young professionals should seek out opportunities to gain broad experience, including challenging projects outside their comfort zones. These experiences, combined with qualifications or formal training, help build the unique skill set that sets you apart.

While technical competency is important, it’s not sufficient for long-term success. The panellists agreed that soft skills – like commercial awareness, communication, accountability, and emotional intelligence – are increasingly vital, especially for those aspiring to senior roles.

Tim pointed out that treasury is a small function within organisations, and climbing the ladder often means moving laterally to gain breadth. Donal Quaid added that being able to connect the dots, communicate complex treasury issues clearly to non-specialists (such as executives and board members), and demonstrate a collaborative mindset makes you stand out.

Janet Legge from the ACT highlighted that professional bodies are evolving their offerings to help treasurers build these skills, including courses on AI. However, she stressed the need for human judgment alongside technology: “We have to be able to analyse, question, and scrutinize outputs – never simply trust what comes out of a machine.”

AI’s impact on treasury was a key discussion point. There is no denying AI’s exponential growth and increasing power – from automating routine tasks to drafting detailed reports. Donal spoke about practical AI use cases in treasury such as using AI to prepare speaker notes for board meetings, which can save valuable time.

However, the panel also warned of the risks AI can bring, such as inaccuracies in outputs, cyber threats, or fraud. Stephanie highlighted the importance of remaining curious and critical of AI-generated information, to avoid blindly accepting answers: “It takes away your ability to think for yourself if you don’t challenge it.”

For junior professionals, the key takeaway is to get involved with AI tools early – learn how they work, understand their limitations, and leverage them to enhance your productivity, not to replace your judgment. This combination of technology and human insight will be critical for your future career.

Success is rarely about luck; it’s about taking initiative. Tim shared how early in his career, he took on a tax advisory role within treasury “almost by accident” by volunteering, which eventually paved the way for him to become group treasurer. Donal echoed this advice encouraging juniors to “put your hand up for everything” and seek out exposure wherever possible.

Stephanie noted that those who volunteer for the “messy projects” others avoid often accelerate their learning and visibility within the organisation. Such projects might be challenging and imperfect, but they build resilience and broaden your skill set.

Professional qualifications like the ACT diploma, CFA, or relevant master’s degrees were discussed as important signals of investment in yourself. Janet emphasised that training could differentiate you by demonstrating the commitment and foundational knowledge that employers value.

At the same time, Tim reminded the audience that qualifications alone don’t guarantee career success. His own path included qualifying as a solicitor but then learning on the job and seizing opportunities. The consensus? Combine formal learning with practical experience and continuous self-development.

1. Stay curious and agile: the treasury landscape is changing quickly. Continuously build new skills and seek to understand the bigger picture beyond day-to-day tasks.
2. Develop soft skills: work on communication, emotional intelligence, commercial awareness, and the ability to challenge information critically.
3. Engage early with AI tools: explore AI applications relevant to treasury. Learn how to use them responsibly to improve efficiency but never forgo your own judgment.
4. Volunteer and take the initiative: don’t wait for perfect opportunities. Offer to take on challenging projects or support functions outside your immediate role.
5. Pursue relevant qualifications: invest time in professional credentials that align with your career goals but balance this with building real-world experience.
6. Think long-term and lateral: treasury teams are often small, so be open to lateral moves or different types of roles that broaden your skill set and increase your opportunities.

In summary, while technology will change the tools and some processes of treasury, it will never replace the value of human judgment, curiosity, and adaptability. Young treasury professionals who combine these attributes with strategic use of AI and continuous learning will find themselves well-positioned to shape the future of treasury. 

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