Hugues Retif did not follow a straight-line path into international leadership. Trained in accounting in France, he began his career in traditional finance and advisory roles, working closely with European companies navigating increasingly complex business environments. Over more than 20 years, Hugues built deep, hands-on experience supporting companies expanding into the United States. His career spans senior roles in accounting, consulting, and operations — including Director of Accounting and Advisory Services at a CPA firm, Associate Director at a consulting firm, and VP of Finance & Operations for a French apparel company in New York City. These experiences gave him a rare, practical understanding of what it truly takes to operate across borders. Today, as COO and Partner at IMS, Hugues works closely with founders and leadership teams during their most critical growth phases. He oversees teams specializing in accounting, taxation, and operational structuring, helping companies move from strategic intent to day-to-day execution in the U.S. market. Hugues is known for his pragmatic approach and his ability to bridge strategic vision with operational reality — shaped by decades spent both inside companies and advising them from the outside.