Accenture's New Chief Will Push Outsourcing

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April 09, 2004 (7:52 AM EDT)

Accenture Ltd.'s new designated chief executive, William D. Green, plans to grow the firm's outsourcing business when he formally takes over the firm's reins in September.

Green has been serving as Accenture's chief operating officer for client services. His main expertise has been in the high-tech, aerospace, and telecommunications industries. He was the company's chief executive for the Communications & High Tech operating group from 1999 to 2003. The group is Accenture's largest operation, posting revenue of $3.29 billion last year.

In a conference call, Green said: "What investors will see is a lot of continuity, a lot of staying on strategy."

Green noted that Accenture's core business has been shifting from consulting to outsourcing. Although consulting still represents the lion's share of Accenture's total business--61 percent--Green said he plans to grow the outsourcing business to 50 percent of the firm's total revenues.

When Green officially takes over Sept. 1, Joe W. Forehand, who has been serving as Accenture's CEO, will assume the post of chairman. The company has about 90,000 employees and has recently been on a hiring spree worldwide. While Accenture's headquarters will remain in Bermuda, Green's operation will remain in the Boston area and Forehand will remain in Dallas. The firm was formerly called Andersen Consulting.