Former Accenture CEO Pierre Nanterme Dies

Former Accenture CEO Pierre Nanterme, who stepped down three weeks ago citing health reasons, has died.

During his 36-year career at Accenture, including his role as CEO, Nanterme steered the company toward the business of digital services and attracted top talent to the company.

“Pierre was an iconic and exceptional leader, and an extraordinary individual in every way,” said David Rowland, who was chief financial officer under Nanterme and stepped into the role of interim chief executive officer. “His innate drive to create value, and his vision to rotate our business to new growth areas, has left Accenture stronger for generations to come. He was deeply committed to our people and had infectious energy and humor—inspiring all of us to be curious, continuously learn and innovate. We are forever grateful to Pierre for the impact he made.”

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Nanterme, who had been CEO since 2011, was diagnosed with colon cancer in July 2016 and underwent surgery shortly thereafter. At the time, Nanterme said that he would “be able to stay actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the company throughout this process.”

Accenture—No. 2 on the 2018 CRN Solution Provider 500—named Marge Magner, the board’s lead independent director, as the company’s non-executive chair of the board.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss,” Magner said in a statement. “Pierre was an innovative and visionary leader who, above all, lived the company’s core values with a true passion for our people and an exceptional commitment to clients. He was an outstanding advocate for creating a culture of equality at Accenture. His energy, drive and leadership will be sorely missed.”

During his time as CEO, Accenture’s net revenue grew 55 percent from $25.5 billion in fiscal 2011 to $39.6 billion in fiscal 2018, while the company’s market cap increased approximately $70 billion to $108 billion through August 2018, for a total return to shareholders of 309 percent, the company said in a statement.