Accenture Announces New Scottish Leadership Team

Edinburgh, U.K.; 8 August 2019 – Accenture has announced the appointment of Michelle Hawkins and Les Bayne as joint Regional Managing Directors for Accenture in Scotland.

Bringing a diverse set of skills, the new joint leadership team will head up Accenture’s people and operations in Scotland, helping clients to improve their performance and unlock trapped value through the application of new technologies and innovation. Les and Michelle take over from Bill McDonald who, after almost 20 years working for Accenture across a variety of industries and clients, is retiring in September.

Olly Benzecry, Country Managing Director for Accenture UK said: “I am delighted that Michelle and Les have taken up this joint leadership role. They are both passionate about the success of Scotland and have extensive global experience. The Scottish business has great potential and we are seeing significant demand for our services, particularly relating to the application of new technologies to help clients transform their business. Over the last 11 years, Bill McDonald has done a terrific job building up the team in Scotland, and Les and Michelle will now capitalise on that to drive further growth.”

In order to achieve its growth ambitions in Scotland, Accenture will draw on its global expertise to deliver best in class services locally. This includes data driven innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and cyber security across a range of sectors. Already working in partnership with clients in industries such as financial services and utilities, the new MDs, leading a staff of over 400 in Scotland, will seek to expand into new sectors including oil and gas decommissioning and extend the use of its data science services.

Michelle Hawkins said: “Accenture has always been at the forefront of new technology and innovation and we look forward to further building our presence in Scotland. As a business we aim to attract the best talent, establish successful partnerships and continue to give back in the communities in which we work across Scotland. Over the next few months we will be focusing on developing more connected relationships and collaborations within the Scottish business, embedding Accenture into the fabric of Scotland.”

Les Bayne added: “Working within a global network means we draw on our wide range of experience and expertise to deliver bespoke programmes for our clients locally. Innovation, diversity and inclusion is the way to unlock value for our clients. Having worked across many business streams in Accenture, I have seen first-hand the difference, and great additional potential, having a strong inclusive team can make and we want to ensure we build this capability into our Scottish offering for our clients.”

Les and Michelle are champions of Accenture’s ambition to be the most inclusive and diverse workplace in Scotland. Equality is at the very core of Accenture’s culture and they will strive to create an environment where all individuals can be themselves and make a difference in Scotland.

Last November Accenture unveiled the Scotland Application Security Hub in Edinburgh, which serves global clients in their drive for enhanced security against application vulnerabilities and cyber threats. In the Corporate Citizenship space there are a number of programmes delivered successfully in Scotland including Movement to Work with The Prince’s Trust and the Skills to Succeed Academy which has supported over 2,200 young people to help them find work


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About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions — underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network — Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With 482,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com

Michelle Hawkins joined Accenture in 1995 and has extensive global experience in leading complex system integration and transformational outsourcing programs with clients across industry sectors. Her latest position is as a global director of delivery for Accenture Technology. Michelle has lived in Scotland for 17 years and worked with clients in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. She moved to Helensburgh two years ago after a four year assignment in Asia.

Les Bayne joined Accenture Scotland in 2001 having started his career in financial services. In his current position as managing director in Accenture Operations, he is responsible for growing its Intelligent Operations business. Les is a lead facilitator for Accenture’s Innovation agenda and prior to his current position he was responsible for leading the Consulting Business in the UK for Communications, Media and Technology. Les lives in Perth with his family.

For further information please contact:
UK press office
ukmediateam@accenture.com

Elaine McKean
Indigo PR
ElaineMcKean@indigopr.com
0131 554 1230