Davies, the leading specialist professional services and technology company, announced the appointment of Amber Wilkinson as Group Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). Amber will join Davies later this year, reporting directly to Group CEO, Dan Saulter, as well as joining the firm’s group executive committee. Amber succeeds Davies’ senior executive, Tony Debiase, who will step down following a successful 12 years in the CFO seat.
Amber joins Davies from global law firm, DLA Piper, where she has served as CFO since 2021. Prior to DLA Piper, Amber spent more than a decade at AXA in senior leadership roles, including CFO of AXA Health, CFO of Bluefin Insurance, and Head of Mergers and Acquisitions for AXA UK & Ireland. A Chartered Accountant, Amber trained at PwC in London spending time in the firm’s audit and corporate finance practices.
Davies’ CFO appointment comes on the back of the firm announcing a £1.5 billion refinance of its senior debt facilities, reducing its annual interest bill and extending maturities to 2031 as well as securing a new credit line to support its M&A, technology and AI ambitions.
Commenting on her new appointment, Amber said:
“I am excited to be joining Davies as Group CFO at what is a pivotal time, as the business seeks to further internationalise, and invest in technology and client service. Davies has delivered impressive growth over the past decade, while also holding on to a great culture, supported by its employee ownership programmes. I look forward to working with Dan and the wider leadership team as we deliver for our clients and stakeholders.”
Dan Saulter, Group CEO, Davies added:
“I am thrilled that we have been able to attract someone of Amber’s calibre and ambition to Davies, and I am delighted to welcome her as our new Group CFO."
"Amber’s experience in international business, professional services, insurance, and M&A is a great fit for Davies as we seek to execute an ambitious future strategy. I am also very grateful to Tony for his long and distinguished service at Davies. We all wish him the best for the future.”
In the past 10 years Davies has grown its revenues 25-fold, and now boasts 8,500+ colleagues operating in 20+ countries, with large operational centres in the UK & U.S. The business delivers professional services and technology solutions across the insurance and financial services value chain, including excellence in claims, underwriting, distribution, regulation & risk, dispute resolution, customer experience, human capital, digital transformation & change management.