What does it take for treasurers to become more influential strategists in the business? At EuroFinance International Treasury Management 2026, three senior treasury leaders shared practical lessons on gaining influence at the decision-making table.
In the session Strategic treasury, the panel explored how treasurers can build stronger business partnerships and develop trust with the executive team. A lot of it comes down to proactive collaboration and clear, jargon-free communication. But sometimes it also requires tough love: sense-checking growth ambitions, for instance, or stress-testing the scenarios executives would rather not think about.
With technology automating a growing number of routine tasks that once kept treasury teams so busy, the stage is set for treasury to elevate its profile across the business. Doing so can be challenging, but it starts with recognising the opportunity.
From the floors of Barcelona
AI is changing the tasks people perform, the skills organisations value and the way managers oversee their teams. At EuroFinance International 2026, speakers examined what this shift means for workers as businesses experiment with AI across different roles and workflows, from the growing importance of data and digital literacy to the rise of algorithmic management.
But adopting AI does not automatically translate into higher productivity. The session considered why the gains from AI remain difficult to capture at scale, and what organisations need to do beyond simply introducing new tools. As the technology develops rapidly, businesses also must rethink how work is organised and how people are supported through the transition.
What happens when treasury spends less time gathering data and more time deciding what to do with it? At EuroFinance 2026, UNHCR’s Hikaru Kozuki shared how the organisation is using AI to rethink cash forecasting, from handling complex data to giving the treasury team more time for analysis and decision-making.
The project has also highlighted some of the less obvious challenges of introducing AI into treasury. Data governance, trust and human oversight have been key to using the technology safely and effectively, especially as the team continues to experiment with using AI to support treasury decision-making.
EuroFinance Treasury Excellence Awards 2026
With AI and automation taking on more routine treasury tasks, the skills required of treasury professionals are changing. Anika Williams, head of treasury and customer payment operations at Zalando Payments, and the Rising Star award winner at the EuroFinance Treasury Excellence Awards, explains why financial expertise alone is no longer enough, with digital literacy, data skills and strategic communication becoming increasingly important. Read more
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