Accenture announces key appointments, 2 new services

Consulting and IT services giant Accenture announced two new services - digital and strategy - and key appointments to enhance its position in growth markets like Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America.

Gianfranco Casati has been appointed to the newly created position of group chief executive - growth markets, Accenture said in a statement.

In this new role, Casati will oversee Accenture's business in Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America and work closely with heads of the company's five operating groups.

A member of Accenture's Global Management Committee, Casati was earlier serving as the group chief executive of Accenture's products operating group.

Sander van’t Noordende will succeed Casati.

Accenture Digital will bring together the company's digital services into a new, integrated end-to-end digital capability, while Accenture Strategy will help clients address

issues at the intersection of business, technology and operations, it added.

Michael Sutcliff will head the division, which includes 23,000 professionals. He most recently led Accenture's Financial Services operating group in North America.

Mark Knickrehm, who has been appointed group chief executive of Accenture Strategy, was earlier serving as senior managing director of growth and strategy for Accenture's Health and Public Service operating group.

The new leadership role will focus on enhancing the company's position in growth markets, including Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America, it said.

"Our clients operate in an increasingly complex and fast-paced marketplace, and we need to constantly evolve to ensure we are structured to deliver the innovative solutions they need to solve their business challenges," Accenture Chairman and CEO Pierre Nanterme said.

Accenture has clients in more than 120 countries. It generated net revenues of $28.6 billion for the year ended August 31, 2013.