Coffee With Joanna Bonnett
Joanna Bonnett is Group Treasurer for PageGroup, the FTSE 250 recruitment company that includes Michael Page, Page Personnel, Page Executive and Page Outsourcing. The group operates in over 36 countries providing recruitment services and career opportunities at a local, regional and global level.
Joanna – tell us what you do and what you love about your job?
I am the Group Treasurer for Page Group. I joined Page almost two years ago and I am accountable for global debt, investments, cash and liquidity management, FX management, transactional banking and trade finance. I have global responsibility for the sanctions compliance and insurance programmes and I share responsibility for investor relations. I am also a senior sponsor of the Women@Page programmes focusing on the finance community. I love the diverse nature of the role and the opportunity to interact with many different parts of the group, particularly the senior leadership team.
You have 20 years’ experience as a treasury professional – but what did you want to be when you ‘grew up’?
I really wanted to be a historian – I was and still am very interested in genealogy and archaeology.Unfortunately when I was looking into career options a professional genealogy, as a career, did not really exist and my career in archaeology never took off due to my reluctance to sit out in the cold and wet.I remain fascinated by history in particular the people who have shaped society and the lessons we can learn from the past.
CWN is a partner with Fractio Vitri – a cross sector network of young women to encourage each other to be ambitious about their careers. Do you have one piece of career advice that you would share with them?
I have two daughters and two sons with whom I share the importance of being ‘passionate’ about what you do and if you are passionate then everything, including success, will follow.
You are a passionate advocate of the treasury profession – what are you most proud of in that capacity? And what is your involvement outside of the Page Group?
Being a treasurer is certainly not for the faint hearted – it is a wonderful profession as it is diverse, challenging and evolving. I am proud to be in the position of being able to give back to the profession, by volunteering in a range of capacities – e.g. through the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT). I write and review articles for its magazine (The Treasurer); speak at events and regularly meet junior female treasurers coming up through the ranks as part of the ‘MentorMe’ programme. My volunteer work promotes gender diversity and highlights treasury as a rewarding career, no matter what gender or personal commitments you have.
What is the best and /or worst decision you have ever made?
The best decision was to move internationally for my career. This decision has provided me with a new perspective and opened up new industries. The move has allowed my family to experience new cultures and utilise our house in France more frequently.
What do you think women can do to help other women in their careers?
I feel very strongly about helping other women in their careers, more so, in a profession where we are a minority. Senior Women must become advocates of their profession and demonstrate what can be achieved! On a more personal level mentoring and sponsorship is key and is a reminder we must look back and bring others with us. I am also an advocate of broader gender diversity in the work place – e.g. I think it is important that men have access to appropriate paternity rights, flexible working arrangements and that society in general welcomes ‘Stay at home Dads’.
Who would you most like to have coffee with and where?
Her Majesty the Queen….I would be fascinated to hear her story as she has met some of the most influential people of our time and continues to be a role model for dedication to duty and family. Sadly, I’m sure that an invitation to me to join the Queen for afternoon tea is not in the mail – so I would then choose to have coffee with my husband and children wherever they may be.