David Plimmer drew the judges’ attention with his combination of professional qualities.
Plimmer joined the National Express group treasury function in 2015, having spent three years as an accountant in the group finance team. Since then, he has established himself as a key member of the team.
With accountancy qualifications already under his belt, Plimmer sat and passed his AMCT exams in 2016 with first-time passes and distinctions. He plans to move on to the MCT qualification in the near future.
In his short time with the National Express treasury team, so far Plimmer has shown an impressive grasp of treasury essentials.
He has taken ownership of the group’s daily cash management processes, ensuring the group’s 13-week cash-flow forecasts received each week from the UK, North American, Spanish and German divisions are accurate, with material variances identified and corrected for the following week.
Across his responsibilities, Plimmer has impressed his colleagues with his approach and, in particular, his consistent desire to find better ways of working
He also works on intercompany transactions, ensuring they are processed by the in-house bank in an efficient manner.
Plimmer is also responsible for managing the group’s financial exposures: including 220 million litres of fuel exposures per annum, executing hedges according to policy and in the most cost-efficient way.
He has also taken full responsibility for the group’s $150m trade finance facilities, ensuring that National Express’s bonding and letter of credit requirements are met on time, every time.
Across his responsibilities, Plimmer has impressed his colleagues with his approach and, in particular, his consistent desire to find better ways of working.
He also plays a full part in team-wide responsibilities. Last year, he was a key member of the team when it went to debt capital markets to issue a £400m, 2.5% public bond, working with a relationship bank to ensure that half of the proceeds were swapped into euros at the best possible price.
National Express’s treasury function has a strong record when it comes to spotting and developing talent, and a treasury at the transportation company has proved to be a great launch pad for a career in treasury, with previous members of the team having their expertise acknowledged in the ACT’s annual Ones to Watch publication.
A number of FTSE 100 treasurers have National Express on their CVs. Group treasurer David Daniels has invested heavily in the ACT professional qualifications and the company is an ACT CPD-accredited employer.
Plimmer’s own level of commitment and attainment make him a worthy winner in this category.
“David’s willingness to work to the highest standards when it comes to personal performance and reach for ever better ways of working mark him out as an outstanding treasurer.”
The winner of the first ACT Future Leaders in Treasury Award is Fatou Toure, treasurer at the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) in Kenya.
Toure has overseen the development institution’s diverse investments across FX and derivatives in both local and international markets. Her responsibilities also include risk management and she has been instrumental in AGF’s attainment of a AA- rating from Fitch.
The support Toure received from colleagues and her wider network emphasised her professional achievements, but also her personal skills, too, which impressed chair of the ACT Future Leaders Group Agnes Favillier.
Individuals described her as a skilful negotiator and strong team player dedicated to advancing SME funding in Africa.
Christian Acemah, director at the Uganda National Academy of Sciences, said: “Fatou is articulate, passionate and driven by the numbers she sees. She follows where the evidence leads her.”
Toure has a master’s degree in Banking and International Finance, and is currently studying for her CertT.
The Treasurer's Deals of the Year Awards recognise the outstanding work of treasurers, both within the treasury community and the wider business world. Through them we champion the success and achievements of treasury teams that have stood out in the market over the prior 12 months. Winning an award is a great way to strengthen your organisation's and your treasury's profile, bringing peer and industry acknowledgement. Find out more here.