What separates a good award submission from a winning one?

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Ford and Andrew McMichael to explore how the ACT Treasury Awards work - from eligibility and nominations to judging and standout submissions. We discuss what judges are really looking for, the common mistakes applicants make, and how treasury professionals can give themselves the best chance of success.

Learn more about the ACT Middle East Treasury Awards and submit your nomination before 24 August: https://www.treasurers.org/events/conferences/middle-east-treasury-awards-2026

Whether you're applying for an individual award or nominating a team, this episode will help you understand exactly what makes a standout submission.

00:00⁠ Intro

⁠01:40⁠ Meet the Guests

⁠04:32⁠ How the ACT Awards Began

⁠06:51⁠ Understanding the Award Categories

⁠10:29⁠ Who Is Eligible to Apply?

⁠13:40⁠ The Application Process Explained

⁠17:38⁠ Inside the Judging Process

⁠22:32⁠ What Makes an Entry Easy to Judge?

⁠25:41⁠ What Makes a Submission Stand Out?

⁠29:20⁠ Examples of Winning Entries

⁠34:46⁠ Who Can Submit a Nomination?

⁠38:16⁠ Individual Award Applications

⁠43:43⁠ Common Submission Mistakes

⁠45:52⁠ Eligible Countries and Regions

⁠47:08⁠ Final Advice for Applicants

Guest Speakers

Name: Laura Ford

Title: Treasury Director at Majid Al Futtaim

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-ford-55906bb/

Company Link: https://www.majidalfuttaim.com

Name: Andrew McMichael

Title: Group Treasurer at Agility

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-mcmichael-093b8811/

Company Link: https://agility.com/

Host Name: Mohamed Kortam

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mokortam/ Listen to

Watch the Episode on:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MEATreasurers/

Subscribe & Stay Updated If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for updates on our latest discussions around the latest in Corporate Treasury for the MEA region.

Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meatreasurers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meatreasurers/

A word from our partner:

Treasury is changing fast: new risks, new regulations, and new opportunities.

So how do you stay ahead?

The Association of Corporate Treasurers has been helping professionals globally for nearly 50 years.

From qualifications and training to networks, events, and exclusive content, the ACT is where you can grow your skills and connect with a global community of treasury professionals.

Become part of a network that gives you a stronger voice and the chance to shape the future of your profession.

Visit treasurers.org to find out more.

What’s next for treasurers?

In this episode, we sit down with Annette Spencer, CEO of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT), as she shares her insights on how treasury professionals can grow, gain recognition, and what it takes to stand out.

From confidence and continuous learning to qualifications, mentorship, and the impact of AI. This episode explores the skills, qualifications, and mindset needed to thrive in the modern treasury profession.

00:00 Intro

00:51 Annette’s Journey

06:56 Treasurers: The Unsung Heroes

12:08 Falling into Treasury

14:06 Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone

19:22 Building Confidence in Treasury

23:13 Understanding ACT Qualifications

24:45 Micro-Credentials

26:27 Subject Specific Certificates

30:28 In-Person Training

31:14 Why Do I Need Qualifications?

34:57 Treasury Mentorship Program

38:39 Becoming an ACT member

44:43 The Impact of AI

51:53 The Middle East Treasury Summit

55:41 Treasury Awards

58:10 Women in Treasury

01:03:23 What’s next for treasurers

01:04:56 Final words

Guest Speaker Name: Annette Spencer

Title: CEO at Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettekspencer/

Company Link: http://www.treasurers.org

Host Name: Mohamed Kortam

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mokortam/ Listen to

Watch the Episode on:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MEATreasurers/

Subscribe & Stay Updated If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for updates on our latest discussions around the latest in Corporate Treasury for the MEA region.

Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meatreasurers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meatreasurers/

A word from our partner:

Treasury is changing fast: new risks, new regulations, and new opportunities.

So how do you stay ahead?

The Association of Corporate Treasurers has been helping professionals globally for nearly 50 years.

From qualifications and training to networks, events, and exclusive content, the ACT is where you can grow your skills and connect with a global community of treasury professionals.

Become part of a network that gives you a stronger voice and the chance to shape the future of your profession.

Visit treasurers.org to find out more.

What does it really take to move from finance professional to a CFO?

In this episode, we sit down with Bruno Massera, CFO, to unpack the mindset, skills, and trust required to lead at the highest level of finance.

From AI and coding to trust and communication, this conversation reveals what matters most at the top of finance.

00:00 Intro

00:52 Bruno’s Journey

05:15 FP&A vs Treasury Skills

06:44 How Treasurers Build FP&A Skills

08:58 Explaining Treasury to the Business

11:54 What is “Value Creation”?

13:34 Treasury's role in Value Creation

14:43 Treasury vs Finance: A Mindset Shift

16:20 EBITDA vs. Cash Flow

18:17 Setting Organization's KPIs & Incentives

21:34 How to Position Yourself for the CFO Role

23:32 Translating Treasury to Others

27:17 How to Approach Senior Leaders

31:49 The Skills Every CFO Needs

33:56 Coding & AI in Finance and Treasury

38:34 Why Trust Is the Most Important Skill

43:18 The Importance of Treasury

52:42 Final Advice for Aspiring CFOs

Guest Speaker Name: Bruno Massera

Title: CFO - International Markets at MBRF

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunomassera/

Company Link: http://mbrf-global-foods-company

Host Name: Mohamed Kortam

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mokortam/

Watch the Episode on:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MEATreasurers/

Subscribe & Stay Updated If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for updates on our latest discussions around the latest in Corporate Treasury for the MEA region.

Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meatreasurers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meatreasurers/

A word from our partner:

Treasury is changing fast: new risks, new regulations, and new opportunities.

So how do you stay ahead?

The Association of Corporate Treasurers has been helping professionals globally for nearly 50 years.

From qualifications and training to networks, events, and exclusive content, the ACT is where you can grow your skills and connect with a global community of treasury professionals.

Become part of a network that gives you a stronger voice and the chance to shape the future of your profession.

Visit treasurers.org to find out more.