In this episode of Corporate Treasury 101, we explore how treasurers navigate extreme crises. From cyberattacks and corporate fraud to the impact of COVID-19, Matt Cornwall shares firsthand lessons in crisis management, leadership, and the evolving role of treasury operations.

Matt Cornwall is a seasoned finance professional with over 25+ years of experience, transitioning from Chartered Accountant to Treasurer just before the global financial crisis. He has held key treasury roles at companies like Virgin Atlantic and Travelex, where he managed through a cyberattack, financial fraud, and the pandemic. Matt is now Head of Treasury Operations for EMEA at Chubb, the world's largest property and casualty insurer.

Expect to Learn

• The Unexpected Path to Treasury: How Matt transitioned from accounting to treasury, and why he never looked back.
• Surviving a Cyberattack: The inside story of the Travelex ransomware attack and how Matt’s team managed operations with no systems.
• Crisis Leadership: Strategies for leading a team through uncertainty, from cyberattacks to global pandemics.
• Treasury and Technology: How modern treasury operations rely on technology, and what happens when it all fails.
• Lessons in Resilience: What Matt learned about communication, leadership, and adaptability during the toughest period of his career.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

[00:00:00] - Introduction & Treasury Career Trends

[00:00:57] - Meet Matt Cornwall: From Accounting to Treasury

[00:03:45] - The Role of Qualifications in Treasury

[00:05:37] - The Travelex Cyberattack: A Real-Life Crisis

[00:10:46] - Managing Treasury Without Systems

[00:14:13] - Unexpected Challenges Beyond the Cyberattack

[00:27:08] - Financial Fraud at the Parent Company

[00:30:52] - The COVID-19 Impact on Treasury Operations

[00:39:09] - Leadership in Crisis: Communication & Trust

[00:47:40] - Life After Travelex: Matt’s Current Role at Chubb

[00:49:32] - Closing Thoughts & How to Connect with Matt

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• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cornwall-6447521/ 
• Website: https://www.chubb.com/us-en/ 

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