Accenture has scrapped its global diversity and inclusion targets, citing shifts in the US political environment, according to an internal memo. The company will phase out the goals set in 2017, along with career development programmes aimed at specific demographic groups, CEO Julie Sweet stated in the memo.
The move follows a broader trend among major corporations, including Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon, which have scaled back their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the lead-up to and following Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency.
Sweet explained that Accenture’s decision followed a review of its internal policies and practices, considering recent US executive orders that the company must comply with. Since taking office on 20 January, Trump has issued multiple orders aimed at dismantling DEI programmes in both the public and private sectors.
As part of the changes, Accenture will no longer use DEI targets to evaluate staff performance and will pause submissions to external diversity benchmarking surveys. The company will also review its external partnerships related to DEI as part of a broader talent strategy update.
Under goals set in 2017 and 2020, women currently represent 48% of Accenture’s workforce and 30% of managing director roles, according to its latest annual report. The company, which hires extensively from India, also introduced race and ethnicity targets for the US and UK in 2020.
The shift marks a significant departure from Accenture’s previous DEI commitments, reflecting the changing regulatory and political environment in the United States.
