Accenture completes Acquisition of EnergyQuote JHA

New Delhi, India, Aug 18: Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has completed its acquisition of EnergyQuote JHA, a London-based energy management and procurement services provider with clients in more than 22 European countries.

The acquisition, initially announced on July 21, strengthens Accenture’s energy procurement capabilities in Europe, enhancing its ability to deliver energy management as-a-service to clients. EnergyQuote JHA provides services including energy risk management and strategy development, forecasting, energy contract management, portfolio management, carbon emissions reduction and utility bill validation.

“EnergyQuote JHA’s deep industry expertise, analytics capabilities, proprietary technology platform and delivery scale complements Accenture’s existing energy procurement and management capabilities,” said Mike Salvino, group chief executive, Accenture Operations. “The acquisition bolsters our ability to provide differentiated end-to-end services to our clients, helping them to reduce risk and improve pricing and payment accuracy.”

Read the rest of this entry

Accenture appoints Rekha M. Menon Chairman of India

 Accenture appoints Rekha M. Menon Chairman of India and Anindya Basu Country Managing Director of India

BANGALORE; August 7, 2015 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has announced that Rekha M. Menon will be chairman of Accenture in India and Anindya Basu will be country managing director in India. These appointments are effective August 21, 2015.

As chairman, Ms. Menon will play an active role in growing Accenture’s business and further strengthening the company’s presence in communities across India. She will continue to be deeply engaged in the company’s Inclusion & Diversity and Corporate Citizenship initiatives and will also be responsible for institutional relationships with public authorities and industry associations.

Ms. Menon is currently managing director, Human Resources, for Accenture’s growth markets and has been leading the development and execution of the company’s human capital strategy for Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Russia, Turkey and Latin America. Previously she was managing director, Geographic Operations for India, ASEAN and the Asia Pacific Delivery Centers, where she supported the growth and development of Accenture’s Global Delivery Network. She has over 24 years of industry experience, and she has been consistently named as one of the most powerful women in business in India.

“Rekha has made impressive contributions to our people and our communities,” said Gianfranco Casati, Accenture’s group chief executive, growth markets. “Her experience will be extremely valuable as we continue to build our brand and enhance our reputation as a leader in India.”

In his new role, Mr. Basu will be responsible for driving Accenture’s domestic business in India and building relationships with key clients by leveraging the company’s capabilities in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations.

Mr. Basu will continue his role working with Accenture’s Products clients in India, as well as serving as the APAC regional lead of the company’s Automotive, Industrial, Infrastructure and Travel & Transportation Industry practice. During his 23 years with Accenture, he has held leadership roles spanning multiple industries, including Automotive, Industrial Equipment, Travel and Transportation, Consumer Goods and Chemicals.

“Anindya has a strong knowledge of our business and has demonstrated a tremendous commitment to our clients and our people,” said Mr. Casati. “With his experience, insights and vision for our business in India, he is well equipped to make a difference in this important market.”

“I also want to recognize and thank Avinash Vashistha, who has been the chairman and country managing director of Accenture in India since 2011, for the contributions he has made to Accenture,” said Mr. Casati. “We wish him well as he leaves Accenture to pursue entrepreneurial and corporate leadership opportunities in technology.”

Read the rest of this entry

Accenture India Increases Paid Maternity Leave to 22 Weeks

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has increased maternity-leave benefits for its full-time and part-time women employees in India to 22 weeks of paid leave, up significantly from the current statutory requirement of 12 weeks.

The new policy, which was effective May 1, also allows employees in India who don't have enough accrued vacation time, but want additional time off beyond the maternity leave, to take unpaid leave for another 12 weeks. Employees also may take an additional four weeks of paid leave if there is an illness directly related to the mother’s pregnancy.

“There is an increasing number of families in India in which both parents have hectic schedules — balancing work and family commitments — while simultaneously caring for children and continuing to advance professionally, which can result in some women discontinuing their careers,” said Parag Pande, Accenture’s Human Resource lead for India and global lead for Learning and Talent Development Operations. “We want to help our people balance life and career choices, supporting them through the joys and challenges of parenting, as they continue to focus on their careers.”

In addition to the maternity-leave benefits, Accenture offers its employees in India up to eight weeks of fully paid adoption leave for primary caregivers of an adopted child, as well as one week of paid paternal leave for new fathers.

Accenture’s comprehensive support for parents in India also includes access to a variety of resources, such as discounted childcare services, interactive parenting workshops, employee assistance programs, and pre- and post-maternity counseling sessions. In addition, employees can work with their supervisors and career counselors to explore flexible work arrangements, such as working from home, where possible.

Read the rest of this entry