Accenture has elevated some 1,200 team members to the role of managing director and senior managing director in a bid to increase the gender, ethnic and racial diversity of its global workforce.

The new round of promotions includes a record number of women taking on leadership roles as the company advances towards its D&I targets. Nearly two in five promotions (37%) to MD were women. They were elevated alongside 35 women who were made senior managing directors. 

"We are honoured to recognise these leaders for the tremendous difference they make in creating value for our clients, our people, our shareholders, our partners and our communities, and for being role models in living our leadership essentials each day," said Julie Sweet, chair and CEO of Accenture.

The promotions purportedly represent the company's commitment to creating "vibrant career paths for all of our people," Sweet said.

Accenture has set a goal of promoting women to 30% of the firm's managing director positions by 2025. During the pandemic, women comprised a quarter of the MD roles. This year, the number is up to 27%.

For Ellyn Shook, CHRO at Accenture, the move to elevate a more diverse set of leaders is about celebrating "extraordinary contributions during extraordinary times".

Their commitment, Shook said, "helps create shared success for all our stakeholders".