Accenture names Julie Sweet chief executive officer

15 July 2019 Consulting.us

Management and technology consulting firm Accenture has appointed Julie Sweet as its new chief executive officer, effective September 1, 2019. Sweet, who currently serves as the CEO of Accenture’s North America business, replaces interim CEO David Rowland, who moves on to serve as executive chairman. Rowland had served as interim CEO since January, when former CEO Pierre Nanterme stepped down due to health concerns. Nanterme passed away later that month.

Sweet’s appointment will make the 51-year-old executive one of the 27 women who lead companies in the S&P 500 (approximately 5% women CEOs).

As the head of Accenture, Sweet will lead a company of 482,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. The Dublin-based firm had revenues of $41.6 billion in 2018.

Sweet is currently the head of Accenture’s North America business, which is the firm’s largest geographical market – with revenues of $18 billion in 2018. Before that role, Sweet served as Accenture’s general counsel, chief compliance officer, and corporate secretary for five years.

Accenture appoints Julie Sweet as chief executive officer A lawyer by trade, Sweet joined the consultancy in 2010 from law firm Cravath, Swaine, & Moore, where she had spent 17 years – with 10 years as a partner. Sweet was a partner in the corporate practice, working on financing and mergers and acquisitions, as well as providing general corporate counsel.

“Julie is the right person to lead Accenture into the future, given her strong command of our business and proven ability to drive results in our largest market,” said David Rowland. “We are on a positive growth trajectory at Accenture and are very well-positioned to continue building on our strong momentum. I am so pleased and proud that Julie will lead our company, and I am excited to work with her – along with our entire senior leadership team – to ensure a seamless transition and on Accenture’s next phase of growth and market leadership.”

Moving on to the position of executive chairman after three-quarters of a year as interim CEO, Rowland will chair the board of directors, act as an advisor to Sweet, and help guide the firm’s long-term strategy. He will also work on relationships with key clients and external groups.

“[David] has been an exemplary leader as interim chief executive officer during this time of transition, with a steadfast commitment to driving Accenture’s business and building on our strong momentum,” Marge Magner, non-executive chair Accenture’s board, said. “We are grateful for his leadership and stewardship.”