Hard work, determination and a passion for learning
Having completed her Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Tian Song joined General Electric China in 2013 as a management trainee under the Financial Management Programme (FMP). In 2016, after the programme ended, she was selected to join GE’s global executive development programme, Corporate Audit Staff (CAS), as an associate.
This intensive CAS programme allowed Tian to work on important corporate initiatives along with GE professionals from over 100 locations and travel worldwide among GE business segments for assignments. After two years in that role, Tian moved to the UK in 2018 to take up her current position as Senior Treasury Manager, Banking at Baker Hughes.
Choosing treasury
Tian made the move to treasury as she believed her corporate finance and accounting expertise and global project management skills would serve her well within a treasury department. Her position at Baker Hughes began as the company started its journey to set up a standalone treasury function upon its separation from GE.
In her role Tian has established core processes for managing Bank Relationships. She also drove an initiative to simplify the company’s cash management and banking landscape.
In addition, Tian supported the negotiation of the company’s US$3bn revolving credit facility with 21 global and regional banks including T&Cs. Her other achievements include helping to optimise Baker Hughes’ cash management structure, which involved implementing a global USD cash pool and a Europe multi-currency notional pool to consolidate liquidity. This solution reduced liquidity buffers and was named Highly Commended Winner for Best Liquidity Solution at the 2019 Adam Smith Awards.
Professional and personal development
Whilst studying for her bachelor’s degree during 2009 – 2013, Tian held several internship roles to gain experience in the corporate world. One of those was an internship with global conglomerate Bain & Company, where Tian was a Part-time Associate Consultant. Her freelance experience as a Market Research Analyst for Euromonitor International and summer internship experience with General Electric has been key to her later success.
Tian continually works to achieve her best, and in 2019 she completed her Certificate of Treasury from the Association of Corporate Treasurers, followed by her Diploma in Treasury Management (AMCT) in 2020.
In the meantime, as a keen traveller Tian has travelled across tens of Asian, American and European countries in the past years. She is always eager to learn about other cultures and gain new experiences. One such experience was moving to the UK without any support network in place. The move paid off though: Varun Wadhwa, Deputy Treasurer at Baker Hughes explains that Tian’s hard work and perseverance has meant that the scope of her role has evolved significantly, from cash management to other banking products such as revolving credit facilities, supply chain finance and corporate credit card.
Indeed, Tian provided treasury support for a global project to establish a multi-financier supply chain finance programme, leveraging leading fintech solutions. She also provided treasury support for tendering process for credit card provider selection and T&E process implementation. Additionally, she supported in establishing a centralised treasury delegation model for various treasury activities across Baker Hughes subsidiaries.
Empowering women
Throughout her career at GE, Tian was an active member of the Woman Network. Since moving to Baker Hughes, she still participates in company-wide Woman Network events, actively engaging by sharing experiences and helping other women at work.
In her personal time, Tian mentors’ young Chinese women who are still at university or in the early stages of their careers, in order to help with their professional development. “Tian has also started to take a leadership role within the Baker Hughes Treasury team – coaching and managing junior team members,” comments Wadhwa.
