How to Build a Strategic, High-Impact Treasury Team – Lessons in Process, Progress and People

What does it take to lead a treasury team that not only performs but transforms the business?

In this revisited episode, we uncover how Adam Richford, now the Group Treasurer at Smith+Nephew built and scaled treasury functions across global industries - transforming processes, empowering people, and delivering strategic impact at every level.

In this special episode of the Treasury Career Corner Podcast I reconnect with Adam Richford who is now the Group Treasurer at Smith+Nephew and former Treasurer at Renewi.

With over two decades of treasury experience spanning global giants like GE Capital and transformative growth firms like Renewi, Adam brings deep insight into building agile, high-performing treasury teams that operate as true strategic partners to the business.

Main topics discussed:

• Adam’s early career journey - from EY to leading treasury at global firms
• How treasury plays a critical role in M&A, corporate turnarounds, and strategic growth
• Lessons from transforming Renewi’s treasury: from spreadsheets to automation
• Building a centralized treasury function with TMS and improved funding structures
• Why strong team culture, trust, and clarity of roles are non-negotiable in treasury leadership
• How Adam approached remote team management during the COVID-19 crisis
• Transitioning into investor relations and why it matters for treasury leaders     
• The impact of ESG and sustainability on treasury and funding strategies
• Hiring and talent development: what Adam looks for in treasury professionals
• Lessons from his current role at Smith+Nephew: balancing treasury, pensions, and insurance in a FTSE 100 company

You can connect with Adam Richdord on LinkedIn.

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