December 20, 2018

Accenture to Acquire Knowledgent to Amplify Capabilities that Help Businesses Transform into Data-Powered Intelligent Enterprises

NEW YORK; Dec. 20, 2018 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has entered into an agreement to acquire Knowledgent, a data intelligence company, expanding its data management capabilities that help companies gain deep insights into their businesses and customers, creating a strong competitive advantage. Based in New Jersey, Knowledgent employs more than 200 highly skilled “informationists” that provide data strategy and architecture, data engineering, and data management services.

Accenture is driving innovation in data services with investments in machine-led solutions, highly skilled data specialists and leading platform and industry data capabilities, helping clients rotate to data-powered intelligent enterprises. Knowledgent also helps enterprises maximize the value of their data and create competitive advantage by applying innovation to better manage data, using cutting-edge data technologies and significant experience in the life sciences, healthcare and financial services industries.

“We are in the midst of a data revolution, powered by new technologies. Enterprises are using data to gain deep insights into all aspects of their businesses and customers, and build a strong competitive advantage to gain market share,” said Bhaskar Ghosh, group chief executive, Accenture Technology Services. “With the acquisition of Knowledgent, we can accelerate our data services to clients, using Knowledgent’s top-notch talent, industry experience and proven data solutions.”

“With increasing volume and availability, data is now feeding the world. Joining Accenture will allow us to continue our strategy of innovating in and through data for our clients,” said Shail Jain, CEO, Knowledgent. “Our combined capabilities will help create more comprehensive, end-to-end data management solutions – from data strategy, architecture, and system integration to managed services– turning data into value at every step.”

“We are taking our data services to the next level, helping clients tap into the ‘right’ data to build a foundation for digital transformation,” said Annette Rippert, senior managing director for Accenture Technology in North America. “Knowledgent’s talent, experience and solutions complement our existing capabilities to solve business problems by rapidly turning data into actionable insights that drive smart decisions for our clients in North America and beyond.”

Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

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 469,000 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: Accenture and Knowledgent will not be able to close the transaction in the time period anticipated, or at all, which is dependent on the parties’ ability to satisfy certain closing conditions; 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 and political 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; Accenture could face legal, reputational and financial risks if the company fails to protect client and/or company data from security breaches or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; 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 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; Accenture’s results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; 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; 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; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key alliance partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company’s results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture’s ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; if Accenture is unable to protect its intellectual property rights or if Accenture’s services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions 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 might be unable to access additional capital on favorable terms or at all and if the company raises equity capital, it may dilute its shareholders’ ownership interest in the company; 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.

# # #

Contact:

Julie Bennink
Accenture
+1 312 693 7301
julie.l.bennink@accenture.com

Copyright © 2018 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are trademarks of Accenture.