Accenture plc has appointed Julie Sweet as its global CEO, following her tenure as CEO of North America. Sweet, who joined Accenture in 2010 after a decade at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, also joins the company’s board. David Rowland, previously interim CEO, transitions to executive chairman after 36 years with Accenture, including a tenure as CFO. Marge Magner returns to her role as lead independent director.
Sweet's promotion highlights the increasing representation of women in Fortune Global 500 CEO roles. Accenture also promoted KC McClure to CFO earlier this year, showcasing a rare dual-female leadership scenario. The company's stock has outperformed industry peers, rising 39.1% year-to-date. Accenture holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reflecting strong market performance amid broader corporate initiatives to empower women in senior management, mirroring trends at companies like General Motors, IBM, and Oracle.