M. Amblard

Michel Amblard brings to Executive Solutions an extensive background in strategic transactions, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, divestitures, restructuring, re-financing, large investment programs, business planning, and taxation. His far-reaching, international expertise crosses both the North American and European continents.

Before joining Executive Solutions, Amblard served as senior vice president, corporate controller and, ultimately, as chief financial officer of European operations for Danka Business Systems plc, a $1.4 billion, worldwide, leading independent provider of office imaging equipment and related services and supplies. He participated in several large profile transactions, including the sale of a major division, bond redemption and re-issue, and large re-financing projects.

This fully decentralized European division of Danka had operations in 17 European countries and revenue of $500 million. Amblard was responsible for the division's accounting, reporting, tax, local financing, and European lease financing lines. Under his leadership, the company developed strong relationships with lease financing providers, significantly improved cash flow performance, re-established strong financial controls, and established a European cash pooling agreement with a major United States bank group that enabled the company to minimize excess cash balances and reduce transaction costs.

Amblard also served as senior vice president of human resources for Danka worldwide after its purchase of the office equipment business from Eastman Kodak. He directed significant restructuring initiatives, chaired a sales compensation plan for the merged companies, directed service force reductions, prepared a corporate stock option program analysis, and reduced the company's financial pension plan exposure in both Europe and Latin America.

A graduate in business with a finance major from Hautes Etudes Commerciales in Paris, France, Amblard began his career with Arthur Andersen in Paris, joining International Paper Company as country controller before moving to the United States. He ultimately became the company's director of corporate budgets. Among his other accomplishments, Amblard served as chief financial officer for Infotec Europe, leading the company's acquisition due diligence, and served as international controller for Nashua Corporation's $500 million office equipment division in New Hampshire.

As past president of the French American Business Council of West Florida, an associate council member of the French American Chamber of Commerce network, Amblard is passionate about fostering trade opportunities between Europe and the Tampa Bay area, where he now resides. He is an active member of Financial Executives International (FEI).