Balancing Risk and Opportunity: ASMPT's Treasury in a Dynamic Tech Landscape

As the Group Treasury Head at ASMPT, James Ho, CTP, CA, MBA, IBFQ brings a wealth of expertise in strategic financial management, risk mitigation, cash optimization, process transformation, policy and compliance. In this interview, he shares what the Treasury department is about at ASMPT and how it plays a crucial role in enabling the digital world.

What is the Treasury function at ASMPT?

I play a crucial role in managing ASMPT’s finances. My key responsibilities include overseeing cash flow and liquidity; managing foreign currency risks; developing funding strategies; optimizing working capital; guiding investment decisions; and ensuring financial compliance and reporting.

I basically work to strengthen ASMPT's financial position, build strong partnerships with financial institutions, and support our strategic goals. My expertise helps ASMPT navigate complex financial landscapes across different countries, and this ultimate contributes to ASMPT’s growth and stability.

What aspect of Treasury excites you?

What excites me most about the Treasury role at ASMPT is the opportunity to collaborate and create value for a business to drive innovation in a rapidly evolving industry. The semiconductor sector is at the forefront of technological advancement, and our Treasury function plays a crucial role in supporting this innovation. I enjoy utilizing my wealth of experience to design treasury frameworks for navigating complex challenges, such as fluctuating market conditions, regulatory changes, or geopolitical events, while ensuring that our liquidity and funding needs are met seamlessly.

Building strong relationships, both internally and with banking and financial partners, is another aspect I find rewarding, as these relationships are vital in crafting flexible financing solutions and helping secure ASMPT’s financial resilience.

What is your vision for the Treasury department in ASMPT?

My vision for ASMPT's Treasury team is to transform it into a strategic asset that drives company-wide value, a guardian of ASMPT's financial stability and a key contributor to its competitive edge and innovation-driven success. I am focusing on three main areas.

First, strategic financial management: by optimizing capital allocation, mitigating risks, and ensuring sustainable funding, we aim to position the treasury function as a critical driver of ASMPT's long-term growth.

Second, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of managing stakeholder relationships: strengthening ties with financial institutions, regulators, and investors to improve ASMPT’s ability to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.

Finally, adaptability: I am committed to digitisation and enhancing the treasury team with technical and business skills to manage cash effectively in this dynamic market environment.