Yves Bernaert new CEO of digital transformation leader Atos

Digital transformation leader Atos has announced it has appointed former Accenture Technology executive Yves Bernaert as its new CEO.

A leader with proven expertise in the technology and digital transformation industries, Atos said Bernaert’s first mission will be to successfully complete the next stages of the group’s transformation plan.

In July 2022, Atos named Nourdine Bihmane as its new CEO after previous chief executive Rodolphe Belmer left the company.

Bihmane, who was also co-CEO of the group, now becomes its deputy CEO, Atos says, and is still in charge of the Tech Foundations business.

“I am delighted to be joining the Atos Group,” commented Bernaert. “After more than 30 years in the technology sector, I am well aware that Atos possesses strong assets, and I have great respect for the world-renowned skills of its teams. Atos has considerable technological capabilities and holds strong positions in many strategic areas. This is why, with the support of the board of directors and the ongoing dedication of the group’s talented employees, I am confident that we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead and successfully deliver the ongoing transformation.” 

Who is Yves Bernaert, Atos’ new CEO? 

Bernaert began his career as an auditor at PwC before joining Accenture, a world leader in digital services, in 1992. After several executive roles in France and abroad, he served as CEO Europe of Accenture Technology for the past nine years. Under his leadership and alongside his teams and partners, Accenture Technology Europe achieved double-digit growth by focusing on new digital technologies (Cloud, Data & AI and Security). 

Bernaert is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of 1001 Fontaines, a French NGO that provides sustainable access to drinking water for vulnerable populations and aims to roll out its model on a larger scale to double the number of beneficiaries to two million by 2025.

Spearheading Atos’ transformation plan

Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with 112,000 employees and annual revenue of around €11bn (US$11.5bn). European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high performance computing, the group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 71 countries.

With the completion in July 2023 of the internal operational separation of Atos into two separate entities, the group is now well-positioned to complete its transformation plan.

If and when the finalisation of the group's separation is decided by the Board, Bernaert would then be exclusively responsible for leading the development of the new Eviden group – the only Frenchplayer positioned with a global reach, able to offer the full range of solutions for digital transformation, including digital, cloud, AI, cybersecurity and high-performance computing solutions.

In addition, he will handle alongside Paul Saleh, who joined the group as its Chief Financial Office in August 2023, the ongoing exclusive negotiations with EPEI under the supervision of the Board of Directors with the view to submitting the proposed transaction and the contemplated capital increases to the Shareholders’ meeting. 

Bertrand Meunier, Chairman of Atos's Board of Directors, said: "On behalf of the entire board, I am very pleased to welcome Yves Bernaert as Chief Executive Officer of Atos. His personal and professional strengths, ability to lead teams through major transformations, in-depth knowledge of our industry and belief in the critical role our sector plays in meeting the national and European digital sovereignty objectives, make him the ideal leader.

"The board would like to thank Nourdine Bihmane, Philippe Oliva and Diane Galbe, who have to date, carried out the group's operational performance improvement plan and its strategic transformation project.”

Earlier this year, Technology Magazine reported that Atos had launched its Technology Consulting service, a new portfolio of advisory services for C-suite executives, designed to enable them to best leverage existing and new technologies to achieve their business objectives. 

In an announcement, the company said Technology Consulting would leverage expertise from the entire Atos ecosystem, including technology partners, hyperscalers and the academic world, maximising the potential of generative AI, data, analytics, automation and the Internet of Things.

******

For more insights into the world of Technology - check out the latest edition of Technology Magazine and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn & Twitter.

Other magazines that may be of interest - AI Magazine | Cyber Magazine.

Please also check out our upcoming event - Cloud and 5G LIVE on October 11 and 12 2023.

******

BizClik is a global provider of B2B digital media platforms that cover Executive Communities for CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, Sustainability leaders, Procurement & Supply Chain leaders, Technology & AI leaders, Cyber leaders, FinTech & InsurTech leaders as well as covering industries such as Manufacturing, Mining, Energy, EV, Construction, Healthcare and Food.

BizClik – based in London, Dubai, and New York – offers services such as content creation, advertising & sponsorship solutions, webinars & events.