Emma McGuigan

Emma McGuigan, chair of the Avanade Board of Directors, is the global lead for the Accenture Microsoft Business Group. She is responsible for driving Accenture’s overall Microsoft business, including strategy, innovation, market differentiation, the Microsoft alliance relationship, and Avanade and Accenture’s delivery capability for Microsoft solutions.

During her tenure of more than 20 years at Accenture, Emma has held a variety of positions. Most recently, she was Group Technology Officer for Accenture’s Communications, Media and Technology operating group. In that role, Emma was responsible for the group’s technology strategy, overseeing current and future partnerships, and positioning around emerging technologies including machine learning, artificial intelligence and cognitive computing to help drive leading-edge technology consulting and innovation to clients.

Previously, Emma was the managing director for Accenture’s Technology business in the UKI and was the global sponsor for Accenture Technology’s talent transformation program, impacting more 170,000 professionals.

Emma is passionate about technology and inspiring young women to embark on careers in science, technology, engineering and math. She has been recognized as an industry influencer in this area. Emma was named as one of the 50 most influential women in UK IT by Computer Weekly magazine the past four years (2015-2018), was listed in Computer Business Review’s 10 most successful women in UK technology and was the Forward Ladies National Women in Business STEM category winner 2016.

In 2013, Emma was made a fellow of The Chartered Institute for IT. She currently serves as an advisory board member of Digital Leaders and is on the board of trustees for the Orchid Project.

Emma earned her master’s degree in Electronics from the University of Edinburgh.