Joanna Parker

From day one of a company's new independence the treasury function has to be up and running. You are responsible for substantial sums of money on day one. You have to be fully in control.

From my twenty years of senior corporate treasury experience I know that many clients will have little or no experience in this area. It’s a high-pressured environment.

I put myself in my client’s shoes and give an experienced and impartial view. Clients value the foresight and reassurance that I bring.

I enjoy demystifying treasury, breaking it into small chunks, training and motivating people in the organization. You carry a great deal of responsibility and I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. A lot of the people I train have never spoken to external suppliers or bankers before. All of a sudden they're talking to the outside world and they love it.

What they're doing is complex, and it needs someone who’s been there before. There's a huge amount of trust needed, but I know I am going to add value, and I relish the responsibility.