Simon Eaves succeeds Olly Benzecry as Accenture's UK&I boss

Accenture has selected a new leader for its UK and Ireland wing, taking the role from incumbent Olly Benzecry at the end of 2020. Simon Eaves arrives in the role having spent the last 24 years with Accenture.

In 2011, Accenture appointed Olly Benzecry as Managing Director of its business in the UK and Ireland, as well as Country Managing Director for the UK. Benzecry assumed the position having previously served as the Managing Director of Accenture’s Management Consulting growth platform in the company’s EALA region, and oversaw a period of major change at the consultancy’s UK&I wing.

In the decade which followed, Accenture reported accelerating revenue growth, buoyed by an aggressive acquisition campaign which rapidly expanded its capabilities in consulting, digital, design and most notably the advertising space. As a result, the firm reported revenue of £2.6 billion in the UK in FY18 for example, while maintaining a headcount of about 9,500 staff. At the same time, Accenture upped its corporate social responsibility strategy, with Benzecry also taking a leadership role in the Inclusive Economy Partnership to promote social mobility.

Now, as Benzecry closed in on his retirement, he has announced he will step down from the role. Benzecry will remain as Accenture’s UK&I Chairman until August 2021, when he will formally retire.

“I am grateful to Olly for the tremendous impact he has made in his 28 years at Accenture as a force in our business, a role model for our people and a committed advocate for our communities, most recently as he led the announcement of our ethnicity goals in the UK,” said Julie Sweet Accenture’s Global CEO. “I am pleased he will continue in his role as chairman until retiring next year.”

Simon Eaves has been "handed the mammoth task of filling Benzecry's shoes, taking up the role from the start of January. A 24-year veteran of Accenture, Eaves was most recently Chief Strategy Officer, taking on the role earlier this year, and driving the rapid evolution of Accenture’s industry points of view on Covid-19 and its global ventures & acquisitions strategy.

Before that, he served as Group Chief Executive of Accenture’s Products organisation, serving clients in the consumer goods, retail and travel services; industrial; and life sciences industries.

Eaves will assume overall responsibility for Accenture’s services, people, clients and industries groups in the UK & Ireland, and will continue to sit on Accenture’s Global Management Committee.

Sweet added, “I’m confident that Simon's seasoned expertise and commitment to our people and workplace equality will strengthen and grow Accenture in this critical market.”