Accenture Creates CCO Role, Elevating Communications in AI Era

NEW YORK, NY – February 11, 2026 – In a move that underscores the growing importance of strategic narrative in the age of artificial intelligence, global services giant Accenture has appointed Rachel Frey as its first Chief Communications Officer. The creation of this new role, which reports directly to Chair and CEO Julie Sweet, signals a significant strategic pivot for the firm as it solidifies its position as a leader in AI-driven business transformation.

Effective immediately, Frey not only assumes the CCO title but also joins Accenture’s prestigious Global Management Committee, the core leadership body responsible for executing the company's strategy. This elevation places the communications function at the highest echelon of corporate decision-making, a clear statement that the company views its story and its strategy as inextricably linked.

“With her extensive experience at Accenture, Rachel brings a deep understanding of our business, people and impact as well as a strong track record of helping us engage and connect with our external stakeholders,” said Julie Sweet, chair and CEO, Accenture. “I am excited for her to take on this expanded role at a time when clear communication has never been more important.”

A Strategic Shift in the C-Suite

The establishment of a dedicated Chief Communications Officer on the executive committee is more than a personnel change; it represents a fundamental shift in corporate architecture. For years, the communications function at Accenture was combined with marketing under a single leader. This new structure separates and elevates communications, suggesting a belief that the discipline is a distinct and critical pillar of business strategy, particularly for a company navigating the complexities of the global technology landscape.

This move sets Accenture apart from some of its peers in the consulting world, where the “CCO” title is often used for a Chief Compliance Officer, or where communications remains integrated within a broader marketing portfolio. By creating a direct line from the CCO to the CEO and embedding the role within its top strategic committee, Accenture is positioning communications not as a support service, but as a proactive, influential force in shaping business outcomes. The decision reflects a growing understanding in the corporate world that in an era of rapid technological disruption, the ability to build trust, manage reputation, and articulate a clear, compelling vision is paramount to success.

Frey’s mandate is comprehensive, covering internal communications, global media relations, financial communications, public affairs, and crisis management. This centralized oversight will enable Accenture to present a unified narrative to its diverse stakeholders—from its roughly 784,000 employees to clients, investors, and policymakers around the world. The goal is to ensure the company's core message as the 'reinvention partner of choice' is not just a tagline, but a consistent and demonstrable reality.

The Architect of the AI Narrative

Rachel Frey’s appointment is also a testament to Accenture’s focus on leveraging internal talent. With over two decades of experience in the field, Frey is a seasoned communications veteran who has spent a significant portion of her career within the company. Her most recent position as Accenture’s global head of Corporate Communications saw her lead a critical evolution of the function.

In her previous role, Frey was instrumental in developing an earned communications strategy that positioned Accenture at the forefront of the AI reinvention narrative. Notably, she championed the use of data and artificial intelligence within the communications function itself, leveraging analytics to sharpen messaging and enhance performance. This practical application of AI to her own department provides her with unique credibility as she takes on the responsibility of telling Accenture’s broader AI story to the world.

Her deep institutional knowledge is seen as a crucial asset. As CEO Julie Sweet noted, Frey’s understanding of Accenture’s business and impact is a key reason for her selection. This internal perspective allows her to navigate the firm's complex ecosystem of services—spanning strategy, consulting, technology, and operations—and translate its value into a coherent and powerful external narrative. The appointment sends a message that the architect of Accenture's story is someone who has lived it.

“I am thrilled to step into this role at such an important moment for Accenture and for our industry,” Frey stated. “Communications are central to how we build trust, advance our strategy and help our clients and our people navigate reinvention with clarity and confidence.”

Navigating the Era of Reinvention

By placing Frey on the Global Management Committee, Accenture ensures that communications has a permanent seat at the table where the company’s most critical strategic decisions are made. This integration allows for real-time reputational guidance and ensures that the potential impact on stakeholders is considered from the outset of any major initiative. For a company whose primary business is guiding the world’s leading enterprises through their own reinventions, the ability to communicate its own strategic evolution with clarity and authority is non-negotiable.

The challenge for Frey and her team will be to cut through the noise of the AI revolution and convince investors, partners, and clients that Accenture is the definitive leader in the space. It is a task that requires more than just marketing; it demands a sustained, multi-channel effort to build and maintain trust in an environment often characterized by uncertainty and hype.

As businesses and governments worldwide grapple with the opportunities and challenges posed by AI, the role of a strategic communicator becomes that of a translator and a guide. Accenture's decision to create and elevate the Chief Communications Officer role is a clear recognition of this new reality, betting that the company that tells the clearest story about the future will be the one that leads the way into it.