Welcome to MEA Treasurers Podcast — dedicated for treasury professionals across the Middle East and Africa. Our mission empower, and connect treasurers by providing insights into the latest fintech solutions, treasury tools, platforms, and industry trends.
Whether you're managing working capital, navigating FX risks, exploring liquidity structures, or evaluating innovative fintech platforms, MEA Treasurers brings you the conversations, updates, and expertise that matter.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MEATreasurers
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meatreasurers
What role does a treasurer play in a major M&A deal? And why is it so important for treasury to be involved in strategic decision-making?
In this episode, we sit down with Nader Aboushadi to explore the role of the strategic treasurer through the lens of a major M&A deal. From governance, due diligence anddeal structuring to debt and equity restructuring, risk management and bank relationships, Nader shares his perspective on why treasury needs to be at theheart of the conversation.
Whether you're a corporate treasurer, treasury professional or looking to take a more strategic role within your organisation, this episode offers practical insights into treasury's role in M&A and beyond.
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Nader’s Journey
02:05 Becoming a Strategic Treasurer
06:00 Putting Treasury in the Driver’s Seat
10:00 Skills Every Strategic Treasurer Needs
13:20 The Strategic Decision Behind the Wood Deal
18:56 Why Governance Matters in M&A
20:16 Deal Structuring & Due Diligence
23:12 Equity Restructuring
24:36 Debt Restructuring
26:22 Why Bank Relationships Matter in M&A
30:20 How Sidara Earned the Banks’ Trust
32:00 Managing Risk During an M&A Deal
36:12 Treasury’s Role in Achieving M&A Synergies
37:20 Creating Synergies Across Banking Partners
40:50 Planning for Life After the M&A Deal
43:18 The Importance of the Energy Sector
46:54 Final Thoughts & Advice
Guest Speaker
Name: Nader Aboushadi
Title: Group Chief Treasurer at Sidara
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nader-aboushadi
Company Link: https://www.sidaracollaborative.com
Host Name: Mohamed Kortam
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mokortam/ Listen to
Watch the Episode on:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MEATreasurers/
Subscribe & Stay Updated If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for updates on our latest discussions around the latest in Corporate Treasury for the MEA region.
Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meatreasurers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meatreasurers/
A word from our partner:
Treasury is changing fast: new risks, new regulations, and new opportunities.
So how do you stay ahead?
The Association of Corporate Treasurers has been helping professionals globally for nearly 50 years.
From qualifications and training to networks, events, and exclusive content, the ACT is where you can grow your skills and connect with a global community of treasury professionals.
Become part of a network that gives you a stronger voice and the chance to shape the future of your profession.
Visit treasurers.org to find out more.
9 Sept 2026
The Banker Perspective
What makes a strong corporate treasury department? And what can treasurers learn from a banker's perspective?
In this episode, we sit down with Semih Ozkan, Executive Director, Head of Corporate Payments Sales, Middle East & North Africa at JPMorgan, to explore the key pillars of a successful treasury function. Semih shares his perspective on setting up a treasury centre in the region, the challenges that can weaken a treasury function, and his advice for treasurers looking to build and develop their teams.
Whether you're a corporate treasurer, treasury professional or simply interested in the future of treasury across the Middle East, this episode offers practical insights from a banking perspective.
00:00 Intro
01:01 Meet Semih Ozkan
01:41 What Makes a Strong Corporate Treasury?
04:32 Pillar 1: The Power of Visibility
07:02 Pillar 2: Getting Controls Right
09:22 Pillar 3: Optimising Treasury
11:08 The Right Governance
12:45 What Makes a Treasury Function Weak?
16:25 Building an Agile Treasury Framework
19:51 Technology Transforming Treasury Payments
22:17 The Middle East Is Becoming a Treasury Hub
27:14 Setting Up a Treasury Centre in the Middle East
29:21 A Banker's Advice to Treasurers
31:54 Final words
Guest Speaker
Name: Semih Ozkan
Title: Executive Director, Head of Corporate Payments Sales, Middle East & North Africa at JPMorganChase
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/semih-ozkan-886a6238/
Company Link: https://www.jpmorganchase.com
Host Name: Mohamed Kortam
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mokortam/ Listen to
Watch the Episode on:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MEATreasurers/
Subscribe & Stay Updated If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for updates on our latest discussions around the latest in Corporate Treasury for the MEA region.
Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meatreasurers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meatreasurers/
A word from our partner:
Treasury is changing fast: new risks, new regulations, and new opportunities.
So how do you stay ahead?
The Association of Corporate Treasurers has been helping professionals globally for nearly 50 years.
From qualifications and training to networks, events, and exclusive content, the ACT is where you can grow your skills and connect with a global community of treasury professionals.
Become part of a network that gives you a stronger voice and the chance to shape the future of your profession.
Visit treasurers.org to find out more.
24 Jun 2026
ACT Awards
What separates a good award submission from a winning one?
In this episode, we sit down with Laura Ford and Andrew McMichael to explore how the ACT Treasury Awards work - from eligibility and nominations to judging and standout submissions. We discuss what judges are really looking for, the common mistakes applicants make, and how treasury professionals can give themselves the best chance of success.
Learn more about the ACT Middle East Treasury Awards and submit your nomination before 24 August: https://www.treasurers.org/events/conferences/middle-east-treasury-awards-2026
Whether you're applying for an individual award or nominating a team, this episode will help you understand exactly what makes a standout submission.
00:00 Intro
01:40 Meet the Guests
04:32 How the ACT Awards Began
06:51 Understanding the Award Categories
10:29 Who Is Eligible to Apply?
13:40 The Application Process Explained
17:38 Inside the Judging Process
22:32 What Makes an Entry Easy to Judge?
25:41 What Makes a Submission Stand Out?
29:20 Examples of Winning Entries
34:46 Who Can Submit a Nomination?
38:16 Individual Award Applications
43:43 Common Submission Mistakes
45:52 Eligible Countries and Regions
47:08 Final Advice for Applicants
Guest Speakers
Name: Laura Ford
Title: Treasury Director at Majid Al Futtaim
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-ford-55906bb/
Company Link: https://www.majidalfuttaim.com
Name: Andrew McMichael
Title: Group Treasurer at Agility
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-mcmichael-093b8811/
Company Link: https://agility.com/
Host Name: Mohamed Kortam
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mokortam/ Listen to
Watch the Episode on:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MEATreasurers/
Subscribe & Stay Updated If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for updates on our latest discussions around the latest in Corporate Treasury for the MEA region.
Follow us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meatreasurers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meatreasurers/
A word from our partner:
Treasury is changing fast: new risks, new regulations, and new opportunities.
So how do you stay ahead?
The Association of Corporate Treasurers has been helping professionals globally for nearly 50 years.
From qualifications and training to networks, events, and exclusive content, the ACT is where you can grow your skills and connect with a global community of treasury professionals.
Become part of a network that gives you a stronger voice and the chance to shape the future of your profession.
Visit treasurers.org to find out more.
Who has been a guest on MEA Treasurers Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Royston Da Costa
Mustafa Shaaban
Mina Nasif
Nick Philpott
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
16,215
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
80
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
0
Contact MEA Treasurers Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about MEA Treasurers Podcast
Who hosts MEA Treasurers Podcast?
Mohamed Kortam host the show. Published by MEA Treasurers.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does MEA Treasurers Podcast take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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