What’s currently front of mind for you in your role?

Last year we unveiled our Singtel28 growth plan, which focuses on lifting business performance and active capital management policy to deliver growth and sustainable value to stakeholders, from customers to shareholders. Within treasury, we have been working diligently towards this shared goal.

We are also focused on digitalising and simplifying our treasury operations to make sure we are ready for whatever the future may bring.

Tell me about a moment that stands out as an important progression for you?

One key moment for me was when we embarked on one of our earlier capital recycling projects. It was a very big, high-profile transaction in a complex environment, involving the divestment of a small stake in an overseas investment.

Many stakeholders were involved and the team also included younger team members, some of whom found the exercise rather stressful. The experience taught me the importance of empathising with this group of young colleagues that we are trying to nurture and keeping their morale up. It also made me more aware of the importance of not just leading my own team but also looking after people from other teams.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?

It’s not so much advice as something that I’ve learned from observing my bosses, which is not to sweat the small stuff. In a role that encompasses a lot of activities, things can get very complicated and you can get bogged down if you want everything to be perfect.

There are three things that I try to remember. One is to prioritise the impact. If it’s not important, then let it go! Number two is to keep things simple: if things can be done simply, and the outcome is still just as effective, don’t over analyse the decision. And the third thing is to keep calm under pressure and steer the conversation back to the big picture.

Do you have a motto in life?

My motto is ‘this too will pass’. No matter what the current situation might be, good or bad, it’s not permanent. If it’s good, it’s important to stay grounded, show kindness to other people, and share what we know. And when it’s bad, just remember that a new day will come.

“My motto is ‘this too will pass’. No matter what the current situation might be, good or bad, it’s not permanent. If it’s good, it’s important to stay grounded, show kindness to other people, and share what we know. And when it’s bad, just remember that a new day will come.”

From banking to treasury

Today, Samantha Chng is a seasoned treasury professional with 25 years of experience in the profession. However, her sights were once set on a career in banking. “I pursued a banking degree when I was younger, because I was always curious about how banks operate,” she says. “I began my career in the banking sector, primarily serving mid-market corporate clients. My work involved areas such as corporate banking, loan structuring and evaluating credit facilities.”

But a couple of years later, the 1997 Asian financial crisis began – a period that Samantha says was a particularly challenging time in her career. “I wanted to help my customers stay afloat, while also safeguarding the bank’s interests,” she explains.

After the crisis, Samantha felt that it was time for a change. “I looked outside the banking world, and a treasury role came up at Singtel. I took the opportunity, and I’ve now been with Singtel Treasury for the last 25 years.”

During this time, Samantha has seen the company grow from a domestic telco player to one of Asia’s leading communications and technology groups, with investments including Airtel in India, AIS in Thailand, Globe in the Philippines, and Telkomsel in Indonesia.

“When all these acquisitions happened, our treasury team had to tackle a lot of new challenges,” she recalls. “We managed cross-border settlements, which involves a lot of hedging, including in countries where currencies are very controlled.

“All of these complex situations kept me highly engaged. Although I have been with the company for a long time, I have continually grown – gaining experience across various areas and developing a broad skill set. I had the opportunity to learn other treasury functions, like capital management and credit rating engagement, and eventually I grew into the role of Group Treasurer.”

Making a difference

During her time at Singtel, Samantha has also faced several challenging situations. But as she explains, “Expertise can always be acquired – it’s not difficult, as long as you put your mind to it.”

One notable challenge came about 15 years ago, when a significant amount of debt was coming up for refinancing. “This was debt we had raised during a series of acquisitions around the year 2000,” Samantha explains.

“There was a lot of scrutiny around the refinancing process, and my team and I had to develop a multi-year strategy to manage the maturities and ensure continued financial stability. We also had to clearly articulate the rationale and mechanics of the plan to senior leadership.

“Everything turned out well, and this experience reinforced the importance of turning technical details into clear, actionable insights for a broader audience.”

Taking a step back, Samantha reflects that young women in particular often have many different priorities to juggle, both professionally and personally. As such, she emphasises the importance of not only building a strong technical foundation but also investing in building positive relationships with colleagues. “That means being there for people – for example, by acting as a mentor – and also not being shy about asking for help at the right times,” she says. “Another piece of advice for younger women is that there is no time when you feel 100% ready for a new challenge. Just step up into the role, and then you will learn along the way.”

Likewise, Samantha highlights the importance of speaking up. “Don’t wait for people to invite you to the conversation, and don’t worry about making mistakes,” she says. “Make your presence felt, and it will help you to grow faster in the organisation.”

Finally, Samantha says she feels strongly about taking care of other people within the organisation. “For me, the most meaningful legacy I could leave behind is how I make other people feel, and how I help them grow – not just within the treasury team, but elsewhere in the organisation too.”