Bold yet discreet, ambitious yet grounded, Anisha Gunputh is full of contrasts. From filing papers to mastering corporate treasury, she has built a career on independence, accountability, and determination. At Azur Financial Services, she is proving that these might just be the right formula for a fulfilling career, coupled with an enriching family life.
Anisha Gunputh is full of contrasts. A go-getter who shies away from the limelight, she thrives on independence and lifelong learning. Throughout her career, she has tackled challenges with quiet determination, believing that growth comes from staying curious, knowing what truly matters, and holding herself to high standards in everything she does.
When Anisha joined Azur twelve years ago, she initially had a five-year plan. But the journey has proved to be a fulfilling one, both professionally and personally. “Even though I’ve moved beyond traditional treasury banking, the exposure is exciting. The markets are constantly evolving, and I genuinely enjoy staying on top of it all,” says Anisha, who now has an eleven-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son, both growing up fast.
“What keeps me motivated every day is analysing client balances and offering my insights.” As Treasury Manager at Azur Financial Services, she helps companies within CIEL Group optimise cash flow, minimise financing costs, and navigate foreign exchange markets. She also provides expert advice to help them optimise their liquidity by identifying surplus funds and financing needs across the Group. Her goal is to reduce overall financing costs by matching internal cash surpluses with funding needs, offering better-than-market rates. She also supports the placement of excess funds and the use of treasury instruments like currency swaps, ensuring financial flows are managed efficiently and strategically.
Her approach to finance, and life, is rooted in accountability. “The important thing is to own everything we do and live up to our actions. And more importantly, to keep learning and growing”. Anisha’s journey in finance began at HSBC, where she started at the bottom of the corporate ladder, in a clerical position. Coming from the structured academic world of Queen Elizabeth College and the University of Mauritius, the transition was eye-opening. But she embraced the challenge. Later, at the SBM, she found her stride in financial risk, spending four years in Market Risk, including two in Asset Liability Management (ALCO), and three years in Treasury.
From an early age, independence was Anisha’s driving force. The moment she was old enough, she got her driver’s license and borrowed her dad’s car to go to university and picked up her friends on the way. Later, she set her sights on owning her own home and doing things her way. One of her proudest moments? Winning a prize for her final dissertation at university. “With that money, I bought my very first mobile phone which back then was a big deal!” she says with a smile.
For young professionals entering the financial industry today, her advice is simple: never stop learning. “There are many people willing to teach. You just have to stay open to learning and be willing to try new things and take untrodden paths”. It is an approach she applies to herself, too. As she continues to evolve in her role, she remains eager to learn, proving that quiet determination can be just as powerful as bold ambition.
