My Life in Treasury
Published  11 MIN READ

A Leading Light of Treasury

My Life in Treasury – Paolo Catena

Paolo Catena, Treasury Specialist, iGuzzini illuminazione, has presided over many significant events in his 16 years with the Italy-based international architectural lighting firm. As a true professional, he has taken all in his stride. He talks to TMI about his approach to treasury, teamwork, technology, and transformation.

“Since my days at high school, I have had a major interest in economics and finance, despite the fact that these were not subjects of study for me at that time. So once I graduated from high school, I decided to pursue a course of study that led me to a degree in economics.” So says Catena of his formative years. With a vision of his future in finance forming early on, he has certainly pursued his calling with a passion. That’s not to say that a career in treasury was always his goal.

“That started by chance, and not immediately after graduation,” he recalls. “In fact, as soon as I graduated, I decided to register as a financial adviser and worked as a financial and insurance adviser for about a year and a half. Then I had the opportunity to work for a leading footwear company as an Administration and Finance specialist, which I did for four years. It was only when I joined iGuzzini in 2007 that my career as a treasurer truly began.”

In making that move, Catena landed with an international group that has more than 60 years of history in the design and production of innovative indoor and outdoor lighting systems. iGuzzini was acquired by AB Fagerhult of Sweden in March 2019, and today its operations in Italy are supported by manufacturing bases in China and Canada, with subsidiaries in Germany and Finland, and satellite offices across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South and North America, and Asia.