Recap & Recording: From Outlook to Action: Turning Market Signals into Cash Decisions

The panelists—Annette Gilles, Matthijs Pinxteren, and Alastair Sewell—discussed how many corporate treasurers treat liquidity management as a core task but often miss opportunities to use excess cash strategically to generate yield and reduce risks. They talked about the difficulties treasurers face when managing liquidity alongside multiple responsibilities, the need for clear KPIs, and the role of money market funds as a diversified, safe, and flexible investment option in current market conditions.

They highlighted how treasury has moved beyond just managing cash flow and liquidity to supporting broader business goals, like funding transformations and addressing market risks. The conversation touched on the importance of diversification in cash management, integrating technology and AI to improve forecasting and risk management, and finding the right balance between liquidity, risk appetite, and return targets. The panelists encouraged treasurers to make cash work actively, using the right investment tools and informed strategies that align with the company’s risk profile and operational needs.

The session featured insights from the following lineup of speakers:

• Annette Gilles – Corporate Treasurer and Cash & Liquidity Strategist, treasuryXL
• Alastair Sewell – Liquidity Investment Strategist, Aviva Investors
• Matthijs Pinxteren – Expert Capital Markets & Investor Relations, treasuryXL
• Pieter de Kiewit | treasuryXL ambassador & Managing Director of Treasurer Search, will be the moderator guiding the discussion.

Key Takeaways

Annette Gilles: “Liquidity management starts with control, but ends with opportunity. Once you know where your cash is, how long it’s available, and the risks around it, you can move from simply managing liquidity to using it strategically. Technology won’t replace us treasurers – it empowers us to act earlier and smarter, and use cash strategically.”

She stressed that treasury should first build a solid foundation of cash visibility and liquidity planning, then use AI and technology to make smarter, more strategic decisions.

Matthijs Pinxteren: “You really do not have negotiation leverage when you are concentrated with one bank.”

Matthijs highlighted the crucial importance of diversification to mitigate operational, credit, and cyber risks and advocated for setting clear liquidity frameworks and survival period KPIs to strategically manage excess cash.

Alastair Sewell: “Cash is the lifeblood of the organization, and without really careful management, problems can happen.”

Alastair underlined treasury’s strategic role, emphasizing money market funds as a well-regulated, diversified, and flexible investment tool that provides yield while maintaining liquidity and risk controls in today’s interest rate environment.