With 90 years of experience and more than 24,000 employees, Şişecam is a global glass and chemical company, operating across four continents with a presence in 14 countries.
Barış Gökalp has been Global Head of Treasury at Şişecam since 2015. He leads a treasury team of 20, managing and overseeing the treasury operations of 44 plants in 14 countries (across the US, Europe and Asia). He is also responsible for financial technologies, customer risk management and global insurance management, pioneering digital treasury management, spearheading initiatives to optimise processes, reduce costs and enhance efficiency.
Barış is also a member of the management board of Blockchain Turkey Platform, a non-profit organisation promoting the adoption of blockchain technology. Since 2020, he is also the founder chairman of the Turkish Association of Corporate Treasurers (T-ACT).
Barış is passionate about driving change, developing analytical skills, and a strong evangelist in advancing the treasury profession. Since 2021, T-ACT has organised an annual event, in which more than 700 participants attend to learn about the latest trends in corporate treasury management and share their experiences with peers. Barış is a regular speaker at treasury conferences. He holds an industrial engineering degree from Dokuz Eylul University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Bilkent University, which laid the foundation for his strategic and results-driven approach to treasury management.
Driving force behind digital treasury transformation
He has been a pivotal figure and an influential force behind the comprehensive transformation of Şişecam’s treasury operations. His visionary leadership has steered the organisation from a predominantly manual and decentralised approach, transitioning it into a digitally advanced, centralised treasury powerhouse. This transformation has not only enhanced efficiency but also elevated Şişecam’s global standing in financial management.
Under his dynamic leadership, his team has achieved several milestones that are reshaping treasury management in Türkiye and setting benchmarks on a global scale:
First corporate Swift code owner in Türkiye: Şişecam became the first corporate in Türkiye to obtain a unique Swift code, streamlining global financial communications and ensuring secure and efficient cross‑border transactions.
First implementor of treasury management system: Barış led the adoption of a state-of-the-art treasury management system, a first in the Turkish corporate sector, which has revolutionised the company’s approach to managing financial operations through automation and data-driven decision-making. With the TMS, Şişecam have full account visibility of all bank accounts of the entire group and manage all payments with a fully digitalised process. Its next focus will be on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for effective cash forecasting.
Treasury revolution in the UK: one of the most noteworthy examples of his forward-thinking strategy has been the establishment of a Treasury Centre in the United Kingdom. This move included creating a new treasury entity, which is poised to evolve into an in-house bank for Şişecam.
Making waves in global financial markets: the 2024 bond issuance is a shining example of Barış’s strategic prowess. In 2024, Şişecam achieved a historic milestone by issuing two global bonds totalling US$1.1bn, with terms of five and eight years. Overwhelming investor interest led the company to tap these bonds further, increasing the total issuance to US$1.5bn.
Through these accomplishments, Barış has not only transformed the treasury operations of Şişecam but also positioned it as a leader in innovative and efficient financial management. His expertise and strategic insights continue to drive the company toward sustained growth and global competitiveness.
“Being honoured with the Adam Smith Awards Corporate Treasurer of the Year award represents a distinguished milestone that epitomises the harmonious integration of longstanding financial principles with pioneering innovation in global treasury management. In the digital era, this accolade serves as a celebration of our ongoing evolution toward a more interconnected, agile and sustainable financial ecosystem. It reaffirms my commitment to harnessing advanced technological solutions, enhancing strategic decision-making, and fostering an organisational culture that systematically transforms challenges into enduring opportunities for growth and impact.
This honour fuels my passion to continue redefining possibilities, driving sustainable impact, and inspiring the next generation of treasury leaders. The journey does not culminate here – it marks only the commencement of profound progress yet to be realised.”
Barış Gökalp, Global Head of Treasury
Challenges addressed through digitisation and centralisation
Barış overcame structural challenges at Şişecam through a methodical and transformative strategy, ensuring digitisation and centralisation of treasury functions. The complexity of operating across 13 countries with over 50 companies, compounded by a multi-ERP structure due to M&A activities, presented substantial barriers to efficiency. Recognising the need for change, Barış initiated a thorough analysis of Şişecam’s banking structure and payment processes, uncovering over 1,500 bank accounts. By rationalising these accounts, he streamlined operations, laying the foundation for a more efficient treasury framework. Furthermore, he identified the fragmented methods of banking communication – ranging from fax to mail and internet banking – and addressed these inefficiencies by standardising interactions through corporate Swift, simplifying communication with over 75 bank branches. Leveraging ERP systems, encrypted transmissions via the TMS, and robust fraud prevention measures, he transformed treasury operations into a fully digitised process. Looking ahead, he plans to integrate AI-driven cash forecasting, further exemplifying his innovative leadership.
Here is what Görkem Elverici, former CEO at Şişecam had to say about his contributions.
“Having personally selected Barış to join Şişecam during my tenure as CFO, I had the privilege of witnessing his exceptional abilities and vision from the very beginning. As the Treasury Director of Şişecam, Barış has consistently showcased innovative leadership, spearheaded record‑breaking bond issuances and introduced pioneering digital treasury solutions that have set new standards in the industry. His strategic approach has enabled Şişecam to excel in navigating complex global financial landscapes, reaffirming his reputation as a transformative leader in corporate treasury. His contributions to digital treasury management have been groundbreaking. His leadership in creating a cutting-edge digital treasury ecosystem at Şişecam has resulted in improved operational efficiency, enhanced risk management and a model of innovation that has inspired the industry.”
The Adam Smith Awards are the industry benchmark for best practice and innovation in corporate treasury. The 2025 awards attracted 454 nominations. To find out more please visit treasurytoday.com/adam-smith-awards
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