Photo of Martin Schlageter, Treasury Operations Professional.
Martin Schlageter
Treasury Operations Professional
Martin Schlageter, until recently the Head of Treasury Operations at pharmaceutical giant Roche in Basel, Switzerland, has embarked on a well-deserved retirement. With a remarkable career spanning over 30 years, Martin leaves an indelible mark on the corporate cash management and treasury landscape in the EMEA region.
As a senior leader and a driving force, Martin played a pivotal role in shaping Roche’s world-class global treasury and cash management organisation. His collaborative efforts with his team have been instrumental in navigating financial complexities and ensuring optimal liquidity management. Martin’s commitment to innovation has been unwavering, consistently embracing cutting-edge technologies to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
Pushing boundaries
Martin joined Roche in 1993, when treasury was completely decentralised, Group entities had multiple bank relationships and uncounted interfaces with them – to name just a few of the inefficiencies. Martin soon created his vision of a centralised treasury set-up with streamlined processes and systems, with minimal external bank connections and relationships. Thanks to a tight collaboration with IT, legal, taxes and the treasury financing team, he and his team were able to establish a treasury system, which became the in-house bank and the sole treasury instance in the Roche Group.
Over the years, Martin introduced standard processes, such as intercompany payment processes, intercompany hedging or bank statement processing. This provided a solid platform from which treasury could begin to expand its impact for Roche.
Today, more than 145 group entities use the Roche in-house e-banking solution for manual payments – something no other company has developed. Martin was a driving force for the implementation of the Swift Global Payments Initiative (gpi) for corporates in the industry. Not only did he ensure that all Roche treasury systems were ready to send and receive gpi tracker information, but his team also then piloted it with banks in various regions around the world.
The Roche cash management team handles the short-term liquidity for the entire Roche Group and actively manages 47 currencies around the world out of Basel, Switzerland. Such centralised cash management is only possible due to a near 100% visibility of all group payables and highly automated end-to-end processes in the treasury system.
Visionary approach
Martin’s visionary approach and leadership revolve around creating trust. He role models a strong exchange of ideas and encourages continual learning, triggering developments both internally and within the banking world, treasury management system providers and at other corporations. He is a respected expert in the industry, sits on numerous advisory boards and published a case study with INSEAD Singapore.
Martin is perhaps most proud of his work developing individuals, many who have gone on to become finance directors, senior managers and rounded treasury professionals. As a leader his door is always open and team members know him as someone who listens as a manager, a mentor and a friend, encouraging people to go beyond boundaries and not to fear mistakes. He recently headed a diverse team of 15 colleagues, who continually work to improve systems and processes, drive automation, reduce error rates and to increase efficiency.
Adam Smith and Martin Schlagete
Roche has been synonymous with the Adam Smith Awards since the programme launched in 2008 and the company has been recognised over a dozen times during the time of Martin’s leadership.
Martin himself was recognised as our Corporate Treasurer of the Year in 2021 and Treasury Today wish to recognise Martin with a Special Recognition Award in the year of his retirement for an outstanding contribution to Roche and the corporate treasury industry and profession. A most deserved winner of this accolade in 2024 and a founding member of the Treasury Today Adam Smith Awards Alumni.
We salute Martin for his outstanding contributions and wish him a fulfilling retirement journey. His legacy will continue to inspire treasury professionals worldwide as they navigate ever-evolving financial horizons.
Finally, here is what some of his former colleagues said about Martin
“We are delighted to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Martin Schlageter on receiving the Special Recognition Award. Martin’s exemplary leadership and innovative approach have transformed Roche’s Treasury Operations department into a best in class model.
Under Martin’s visionary guidance, Roche’s Treasury Operations have not only become a benchmark in the industry but have also inspired us to think strategically and continuously strive for improvement, both as individuals and as a team.
Beyond his exceptional leadership, Martin has been a mentor who deeply cares about our professional and personal growth. His unwavering support, genuine kindness, and approachability have created an environment where we feel valued, motivated, and supported.
His embodiment of integrity, authenticity and respect has been a rare example in the corporate world, inspiring us to be better both professionally and personally.
Martin, your legacy of excellence and compassion has had a profound impact on all of us. Congratulations on this well-deserved honour. With heartfelt gratitude.”
Your former team members from Roche Treasury Operations, IHB & Cash Management
The Adam Smith Awards are the industry benchmark for best practice and innovation in corporate treasury. The 2024 awards attracted 389 nominations. To find out more please visit treasurytoday.com/adam-smith-awards
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