Jean-Marc Ollagnier

Chief Executive Officer of EMEA, Accenture

Search every verified Jean-Marc Ollagnier interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a February 2021 interview, Jean-Marc Ollagnier, the CEO of Accenture for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the opportunities for businesses in a post-crisis world. He stated that while organizations remain focused on the immediate crisis, they are increasingly looking toward what comes next, and he expressed optimism that there will be an end to the crisis and opportunities to shape a new normal. Ollagnier said that business leaders need to set a direction and a vision, as there is hope, and that part of his role is to understand new markets and prepare for the future. Ollagnier argued that companies must fundamentally reinvent how they do business, becoming more digital and more sustainable to address climate change. He said that firms that master digital technology and put sustainability at the heart of their strategy will likely be the winners in the future. He noted that Europe is a leader in sustainability but has struggled with innovation and adoption of new technology compared to China and North America. On artificial intelligence, Ollagnier said it is not a competition between man and machine but complementary, requiring a rethinking of how work is divided. He also said that everyone will have to participate in the necessary changes because the planet must be taken care of, and he cited World Bank figures showing millions of people are being plunged into poverty due to the COVID-19 crisis, adding that the goal is to ensure more people participate in the global economy. Reflecting on the pandemic, Ollagnier said he learned a lot of humility, stating that he always thought being humble was a good thing but now considers it a very good thing.