Accenture Names Sweet New NA Chief Executive

IT consulting outsourcer Accenture said Julie Spellman Sweet is its new North America group chief executive succeeding Stephen Rohleder, who plans to retire on Aug. 31 after 34 years with the company.

Accenture also named Chad Jerdee, an 18-year company veteran, as General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer and Joel Unruch, who has been with the outsourcer since 2011, as Corporate Secretary. Both of those appointments are effective on June 1.

Sweet, a five-year Accenture veteran, has a strong legal background, currently serving as the company’s General Counsel, Secretary & Chief Compliance Officer and heading its legal organization. In her new role, Sweet is tasked with leading Accenture’s business in North America and will retain her slot on Accenture’s Global Management Committee. Prior to joining Accenture, Sweet was a partner for 10 years in the corporate law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP.

“Since joining Accenture in 2010, Julie has distinguished herself as a key member of our senior leadership team,” said Pierre Nanterme, Accenture chairman and chief executive.

“She has made a significant contribution to our business strategy and our investment strategy, as well as to our Capital Committee, and has demonstrated a strong commitment to our clients and our people,” he said. “Julie brings to her new role a wide breadth of international experience from her more than 20 years as a business leader and a practice builder.”

Jerdee currently servesd as Accenture’s Sales & Delivery deputy general counsel, leading the company’s global legal support for its sales, solution development and client delivery teams. In his new role, Jerdee will bring to bear his extensive experience working on large, complex transactions and developing contract and compliance standards, Accenture said. Jerdee will join the company’s Global Management Committee.

Unruch, 37, who is currently Accenture’s M&A, Governance and Corporate Matters associate general counsel, will take on the additional role of Corporate Secretary, serving as an advisor to the board on corporate governance and leading securities compliance.

Rohleder, who was appointed the North America chief executive slot a year ago, served as the company’s chief operating officer (COO) for the preceding five years.

“I want to thank Steve for his significant contributions to Accenture during his 34 years with our company,” said Nanterme. “Steve has devoted his career to exceptional client service and has been a senior leader in our organization for many years.”