Accenture Names New North America Head

A day after saying that U.S. CEO Jorge Benitez was stepping down from his post, Accenture named Stephen J. Rohleder to the newly created role of group chief executive for North America. Rohleder effectively takes over for Benitez, whose official title was chief executive, U.S., and senior managing director of North America. Accenture said Tuesday that Benitez was set to retire from the company entirely on Aug. 31.

Rohleder, who has been with Accenture for more than 30 years, most recently has served as group chief executive of the company's health and public service group since 2009. Before that, he spent five years as COO of Accenture. In his new role, Rohleder will oversee the company's business in Canada and the U.S., which is Accenture's biggest market.

[Related: Accenture U.S. CEO To Step Down ]

The company also named Daniel London to replace Rohleder as group chief executive of Accenture's health and public service group. London currently serves as senior managing director of Accenture's health and public service group in North America, and is responsible for Accenture's federal, state and local government clients as well as health-care payers and providers. London, a 28-year veteran of the company, previously served as managing director of Accenture's finance and performance management global service line. London also was named to Accenture's Global Management Committee.

"Steve has been a key member of our senior leadership for many years. He brings exceptional experience and decades of client service to this important role leading our business in North America," said Accenture Chairman and CEO Pierre Nanterme in a statement. "I am also delighted that Dan will be our new group chief executive of health and public service. He is an outstanding leader with a proven track record of successfully running key parts of our business and a strong commitment to both our clients and our people."

Accenture's promotions of two executives with strong government and health-care experience follow a number of high-profile public sector contract wins for the company, including a 10-year deal to overhaul and manage the Internal Revenue Service's online portals and a $30 million contract to build a biometrics database for the Department of Homeland Security. The company was also tapped by the federal government this year to take over the troubled Healthcare.hov project. Accenture recently finalized a $121 million deal to improve and manage the online insurance marketplace before the 2015 enrollment period.

PUBLISHED MAY 8, 2014