June 02, 2017

Accenture Acquires SolutionsIQ, Adds Leading Agile Transformation Expertise and Services

Acquisition expands Accenture’s ability to help organizations become digital enterprises through New IT

NEW YORK; June 2, 2017 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired SolutionsIQ, a leading provider of Agile transformation services for business and technology, to fuel its world-class capabilities that help organizations drive change, improve customer experience and create greater business value through Agile methods. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

With one of the most experienced teams of Agile coaches in the industry, SolutionsIQ helps organizations apply Agile principles and practices to achieve substantial performance improvements including enhanced digital delivery effectiveness, reduced cycle times for software development and greater responsiveness to business needs.

“This acquisition brings tremendous value to Accenture and our clients,” said Bhaskar Ghosh, group chief executive, Accenture Technology Services. “Today Agile is more than just a software development methodology. For the digital enterprise that is rotating to rapidly evolving digital technologies – or New IT – it’s becoming a way of life. SolutionsIQ coaches, who are among the most sought-after experts in the industry, will expand our ability to help clients reduce investment risk, accelerate time to market for new products and services, and support design that delivers better customer experiences.”

“SolutionsIQ brings exceptional domain knowledge and experience in Agile transformation, drawing from the top-notch talent they have assembled from across North America and in other parts of the world,” said Annette Rippert, senior managing director, Accenture Technology. “Accenture was an early leader in Agile and we already have a global team of practitioners with expertise in managing complex, distributed Agile transformation and delivery. Together with SolutionsIQ, we will help our clients create and sustain innovative, value-focused solutions that are aligned with fast-changing user experiences.”

“We couldn’t be more thrilled about joining forces with Accenture,” said John Rudd, chief executive officer, SolutionsIQ. “Agile is about fostering a culture of empowerment and collaboration that enables rapid delivery of innovation at the speed of business today. As part of Accenture, we will help clients navigate the complexities of Agile and unlock their creative power to develop new capabilities.”

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 approximately 401,000 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.

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. These include, without limitation, risks that: the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accenture’s results of operations could be adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic 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 changing 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; the markets in which Accenture competes are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accenture could have liability or Accenture’s reputation could be damaged if the company fails to protect client and/or company data from security breaches or cyberattacks; 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; 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 results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; 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 might not be successful at identifying, acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture’s Global Delivery Network is increasingly concentrated in India and the Philippines, which may expose it to operational risks; as a result of Accenture’s geographically diverse operations and its growth strategy to continue geographic expansion, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; adverse changes to Accenture’s relationships with key alliance partners or in the business of its key alliance partners could adversely affect the company’s results of operations; Accenture’s services or solutions could infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company might lose its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others; if Accenture is unable to protect its intellectual property rights from unauthorized use or infringement by third parties, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture’s ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; any changes to the estimates and assumptions that Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; many of Accenture’s contracts include payments that link some of its fees to the attainment of performance or business targets and/or require the company to meet specific service levels, which could increase the variability of the company’s revenues and impact its margins; Accenture’s results of operations and share price could be adversely affected if it is unable to maintain effective internal controls; 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.

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Contact:

Peter Y. Soh
Accenture
+ 1 703 947 2571
peter.y.soh@accenture.com