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Accenture Acquires Leadership and Talent Consultancy Cirrus to Support C-Suite Transformations

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Accenture has acquired Cirrus, a UK-based leadership and talent consultancy, enhancing its Talent & Organization/Human Potential services. This acquisition aims to bolster Accenture's coaching and development capabilities, enabling faster and scalable leadership programs amidst ongoing business transformations. Cirrus, founded by thought leader Dr. Simon Hayward, brings expertise in leadership and engagement, serving clients globally. The financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, marking it as Accenture's third acquisition in the UK this year.

Positive
  • Enhances Accenture's leadership and talent development capabilities.
  • Strengthens service offerings amid client transformation needs.
  • Cirrus's digital learning expertise can boost client engagement.
Negative
  • None.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired Cirrus, a UK headquartered leadership and talent consultancy. Cirrus joins Accenture’s Talent & Organization / Human Potential team and strengthens its development and coaching capabilities for leaders seeking business transformation. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Cirrus is now part of the Accenture Family. (Photo: Business Wire)

Cirrus is now part of the Accenture Family. (Photo: Business Wire)

With 70 experts located in the U.K. and Australia serving global clients, Cirrus blends leadership, talent, and engagement expertise to assess and develop leaders — creating behavioural change and implementing agile ways of working to unlock their potential. Cirrus has a proven track record of delivering business impact through bespoke leadership and team development solutions run via virtual, face-to-face and digital channels.

“Our clients look to us for guidance and innovation alongside them in their transformation journeys, especially during times of change. By acquiring Cirrus, we can deliver leadership and talent development programs to serve them at a greater pace and scale,” said Christie Smith, global lead for Talent & Organization / Human Potential at Accenture. “Cirrus’s digital learning capabilities, in particular, will help transform and reinvent our clients’ C-suites and broader teams in innovative ways.”

Cirrus complements Accenture’s most recent Talent & Organization / Human Potential acquisitions - Future State in February and Kates Kesler in 2020 — which aim to expand client offerings and create new ways to deliver value with a deep understanding of client needs and market challenges. Cirrus was founded by Dr. Simon Hayward in 2010. Simon is a highly regarded leadership thought leader, author and honorary Professor at the Alliance Manchester Business School.

“Joining Accenture creates an opportunity to bring our capabilities to more clients seeking expertise in leadership guidance,” said Dr. Simon Hayward, chief executive officer at Cirrus. “Together, we’ll be able to bring our innovative digital learning and leadership development services to clients around the world at a time of truly critical need.”

“We are all thrilled to welcome Cirrus to Accenture,” said Diana Barea, managing director, Talent & Organisation, Accenture UK & Ireland. “In times of constant change, leadership in delivering successful cloud, platform and other critical business transformations is more important than ever. Cirrus will help our clients unleash their ingenuity as they lead through change.”

Cirrus is the third acquisition that Accenture has made in the U.K. this year following the acquisitions of Edenhouse and Infinity Works in February.

About Accenture
Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services — all powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 514,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Accenture’s Talent & Organization / Human Potential connects people and technology to unlock human ingenuity and drive enterprise wide change. To learn more, visit https://www.accenture.com/us-en/services/talent-organization-human-potential-index

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “positioned,” “outlook” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Many of the following risks, uncertainties and other factors identified below are, and will be, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accenture’s results of operations have been significantly adversely affected and could in the future be materially adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; Accenture’s results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and political conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company’s clients’ businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture’s business depends on generating and maintaining ongoing, profitable client demand for the company’s services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the company’s results of operations; if Accenture is unable to keep its supply of skills and resources in balance with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company’s business, the utilization rate of the company’s professionals and the company’s results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture could face legal, reputational and financial risks if the company fails to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accenture’s profitability could materially suffer if the company is unable to obtain favorable pricing for its services and solutions, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accenture’s level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company’s effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture’s ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; as a result of Accenture’s geographically diverse operations and its growth strategy to continue to expand in its key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; Accenture’s business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture’s work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; Accenture’s results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key alliance partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company’s results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accenture’s services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture’s results of operations and share price could be adversely affected if it is unable to maintain effective internal controls; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; Accenture might be unable to access additional capital on favorable terms or at all and if the company raises equity capital, it may dilute its shareholders’ ownership interest in the company; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the “Risk Factors” heading in Accenture plc’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture’s expectations.

Copyright © 2021 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are trademarks of Accenture.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Accenture's acquisition of Cirrus?

The acquisition aims to enhance Accenture's leadership and talent development capabilities, allowing faster and scalable service delivery.

What are the expected impacts of Accenture acquiring Cirrus?

The acquisition is expected to improve Accenture's ability to deliver innovative leadership programs during client business transformations.

When did Accenture acquire Cirrus?

The acquisition was announced on March 1, 2021.

How does Cirrus's expertise benefit Accenture?

Cirrus's blend of leadership, talent, and engagement expertise will enhance Accenture's ability to deliver tailored solutions.

What are the financial terms of the Cirrus acquisition?

The financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

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