Accenture, Thomas Cook, Outsoucing

Thomas Cook Group and Accenture Sign Wide-Ranging Outsourcing Deal

Accenture will provide Thomas Cook Group plc with application management, technology infrastructure management, finance, accounting and human resources services under a US$400 million outsourcing agreement the two companies signed recently.

The contract, which supersedes an agreement the two companies signed in early 2002 for similar services, is designed to enable Thomas Cook to integrate a range of MyTravel plc functions into existing Thomas Cook outsourced operations following the merger of the two companies this past June. 

The services Accenture will provide under the new contract include: application and infrastructure management services to support a range of Thomas Cook’s operational back-office systems, including its SAP-based enterprise resource planning solution, as well as network management and technical services; finance and accounting services, including accounts payable and receivable, general ledger accounting support and management reporting; and human resources (HR) services, include HR administration and payroll services for Thomas Cook’s U.K. employees.

Accenture will deliver the services through a shared services center in the United Kingdom, leveraging additional resources from its Global Delivery Network.

“We are delighted to further extend our successful strategic outsourcing relationship with Accenture,” said Manny Fontenla-Novoa, joint chief executive of Thomas Cook Group plc.  “The relationship has and will continue to support our delivery of back- office operational excellence.”

Kevin Campbell, Accenture’s group chief executive–Outsourcing, said, “High-performing companies like Thomas Cook have found they can be more strategic, streamline operations, reduce risk and improve overall business performance by outsourcing several business processes to a single provider.”

“Our award-winning, multi-process outsourcing relationship with Thomas Cook continues to drive world-class efficiencies and flexibility into our client’s operations," said Alex Christou, a senior executive in Accenture’s Transportation & Travel Services practice. “Our partnership reduces business complexity, enables Thomas Cook to focus on excellent customer service and accelerates the delivery of the back-office benefits resulting from its merger with MyTravel.”

About Thomas Cook Group plc.

Thomas Cook Group plc was formed on June 19th 2007 by the merger of Thomas Cook AG and MyTravel Group plc.  The new company is one of the world’s leading leisure travel groups with sales around £8 billion (EUR 12 billion), 19 million customers, around 33,000 employees, a fleet of 97 aircraft, a network of over 3,000 owned or franchised travel stores and a number of hotels and resort properties.  It has operations in four regions: UK & Ireland; Continental Europe (Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia); Northern Europe (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland) and North America (Canada and USA).

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company.  Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments.  With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance.  With approximately 170,000 people in 49 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$19.70 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2007.  Its home page is www.accenture.com.

Contacts

Kirsty Whitehead
Accenture
+44 (0)20 7844 9267
kirsty.whitehead@accenture.com  

Benedict Payne
Accenture
+44 (0)20 7844 0440
benedict.j.payne@accenture.com 

Alexis Coles-Barrasso
Thomas Cook Group plc
+44 (0)7801 458054
alexis.coles_barrasso@thomascook.com