Accenture plc announced changes to its executive leadership team, naming a new chief operating officer and a new group chief executive of its Operations service. Manish Sharma has been named chief operating officer, effective March 1, 2022, with responsibility for leading the company's business operations and executing business strategy, protecting the company's people and infrastructure and ensuring operational excellence, which includes the ongoing digital transformation of Accenture. Sharma most recently served as group chief executive — Operations, overseeing a comprehensive intelligent operations portfolio.

Sharma also led the development of Accenture's SynOps platform, which orchestrates the optimal combination of human + machine talent, driven by AI, data and insights, to create an evolved, intelligent operating model to deliver targeted business outcomes. A strong advocate for inclusion and diversity, Sharma has played a key role in fostering gender equality in Operations. Sharma founded the Accenture Rural program, through which Accenture partners with small business process services firms in rural areas in India.

He and his wife also have established a trust that focuses on children's education in India. Sharma is a 27-year veteran of Accenture and a member of the company's Global Management Committee. Jo Deblaere, who has served as chief operating officer since 2009, will continue in the position until March 1, 2022, and plans to retire on September 1, 2022, after a remarkable 38-year career at Accenture.

Among his many accomplishments as COO, Deblaere led the evolution of Accenture's corporate investment and acquisition strategy for a decade. He helped design and implement two major operating model transformations; led the digitization of Accenture, which is now over 95% in the cloud and uses leading cloud-based software applications in all parts of its enterprise; created the company's information security function; and, he developed leading enterprise risk management and business continuity programs. In addition, he served as group chief executive of Europe. Deblaere was active with Junior Achievement for many years, chairing the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement Europe and serving as a board member.

Most recently, Deblaere joined the board of a non-profit hospital in his hometown. Yusuf Tayob has been named group chief executive — Operations, effective March 1, 2022. Currently, Tayob is market unit lead for the US Midwest.

Before his current role, he ran the Accenture Salesforce Business Group, a team of Accenture people who lead complex digital transformations and, previously, led Accenture's Northeast and Southeast business for the Communications, Media & Technology industries. During his career with Accenture, Tayob has worked with over 100 client organizations in over 20 countries, bringing extensive experience in business strategy, operating model change, business process optimization and large-scale technology implementation. He serves on the Board of Directors of the T. Howard Foundation, promoting diversity in media, entertainment and tech industries.

Tayob is a member of Accenture's Global Management Committee.