Shaping the Future of Working Capital: Key Insights from BNP Paribas Experts
At this year’s Working Capital Day in Denmark, BNP Paribas brought together clients, partners and experts to explore one central question:
How can companies turn working capital into a true strategic advantage?
Ulrik Ross, CEO of BNP Paribas Group Denmark; André Andersen, Managing Director of BNP Paribas Factor Nordics; Pierre de Corta, Lead Manager of Factoring & Supply Chain Financing; Zuzana Posoldova, Head of Trade Finance Sales EMEA; and Astrid Perrin-Megret, Lead Manager of Global Trade Solutions Nordic, shared their perspectives on the growing role of working capital in corporate strategy.
They discussed the shifts in business approaches, the critical role of working capital as a resilience tool, and the opportunities companies can leverage in these challenging times.
- Working capital has moved higher on the strategic agenda of many companies. What are the key shifts you’re seeing in how businesses approach it today?
Zuzana Posoldova: “We’re seeing a clear shift in how companies think about working capital. It’s no longer treated as a purely tactical, treasury‑led exercise, but as a strategic tool linked to resilience, growth, and risk management.”
Pierre de Corta: “The integration of digital tools has also played a big role. Businesses are looking at their entire supply chain and assessing how cash flows through every stage, optimizing the capital allocation. A more holistic approach helps companies unlock hidden value and mitigate risks across their operations.”
- In today’s environment (economic uncertainty, supply chain pressure, rising costs), how critical is working capital as a resilience tool?
André Andersen: “In today’s unpredictable environment, optimized working capital is a critical resilience tool. It’s the lifeblood of any business. Having access to working capital allows businesses to manage operational disruptions, meet unexpected costs, and keep operations running smoothly during uncertain times.”
Ulrik Ross: “Supply chain disruptions and rising costs are challenges faced by every business, and efficient working capital management offers the financial buffer companies need. It’s about ensuring companies can adapt quickly to changes in their environment.”
- What makes the Nordics market unique when it comes to working capital needs and expectations?
Astrid Perrin-Megret: “The Nordics market stands out for its high level of innovation and sustainability focus. Companies in the region prioritize not only operational efficiency but also sustainable business practices, promoting resilience and forward looking approach.
Pierre de Corta: “Furthermore, Nordic businesses are early adopters of technology. The demand for advanced digital solutions, particularly in working capital management, is high. This makes the region a prime area for innovation in financial solutions.”
- What are companies still underestimating when it comes to optimizing their working capital?
Ulrik Ross: “A lot of companies still underestimate the value of data. Many don’t fully leverage the insights they could gain from analysing cash flow patterns and payment terms. By using data more effectively, businesses can uncover hidden opportunities to improve their working capital efficiency.”
Zuzana Posoldova: “Working capital management doesn’t fail because of tools, it fails because of silos. By nature, it is a cross‑functional topic, spanning treasury, procurement, sales, and operations. Real impact comes only when these teams are aligned around shared goals, backed by strong internal governance, clear KPIs, and firm sponsorship from the CFO. When ownership is clear and cooperation is tight, working capital turns from a constraint into a powerful lever for cash and resilience.”
- How do solutions like factoring and supply chain finance fit into a modern treasury strategy?
Astrid Perrin-Megret: “Both factoring and supply chain finance are key components of a modern treasury strategy. What we hear from clients is that working capital solutions are the key to unlock liquidity while improving contingency planning, which is a must to succeed in these challenging times. It is also a way to enhance loyalty with customers and suppliers, as your program not only improves your WC, but also drives a positive impact on their cash flow at the end of the chain.”
Ulrik Ross: “These solutions offer a great way to manage financial risk in volatile times. They provide the tools companies need to remain agile and adapt to changes in their working capital needs.”
- One of the strengths of BNP Paribas is the collaboration between different teams and entities. How does that translate into better outcomes for clients?
Pierre de Corta: “Collaboration sits at the core of BNP Paribas’ value proposition – across solutions and across geographies. By working seamlessly between trade finance, factoring, and supply chain finance teams, and by connecting expertise across regions, we deliver integrated working capital solutions rather than fragmented local answers. This ensures that we tailor solutions to meet each client’s unique needs, which ultimately leads to stronger, more consistent outcomes for our clients. ”
Astrid Perrin-Megret: “Cross-functional collaboration enables us to be more proactive. We anticipate challenges before they arise and deliver solutions that keep our clients ahead of the curve, creating value at every step.”
- If you look ahead 2–3 years, how do you expect working capital management to evolve?
Zuzana Posoldova: “In the coming years, we expect significant advancements in AI and machine learning that will help businesses make more real-time decisions about their cash flow. These technologies will give companies deeper insights and help them manage working capital more efficiently, reducing the need for manual intervention.”
André Andersen: “I also see the focus on working capital strategies to become even more central for companies and components like sustainability to influence this. Businesses will need to align financial performance with their environmental and social responsibilities, and working capital management will play a key role in that alignment.”
Looking Ahead
As the business landscape continues to evolve, so too does the approach to working capital management. With a growing focus on agility, sustainability, and digital transformation, companies are presented with new opportunities to enhance liquidity, streamline operations, and drive long-term growth. BNP Paribas’ experts agree that collaboration, technology, and innovation will play pivotal roles in navigating the future of working capital. By embracing data-driven insights, fostering cross-functional partnerships, and leveraging advanced financial solutions, businesses can not only survive but thrive in the face of uncertainty.