Gianfranco Casati is Chief Executive Officer—Growth Markets, responsible for managing Accenture’s business in Asia Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. He is also a member of Accenture's Global Management Committee. Prior to taking on his current role, Gianfranco was group chief executive of Accenture's Products operating group, which serves clients in the air, freight & travel services; automotive; consumer goods & services; industrial equipment; infrastructure & transportation services; life sciences; and retail industries. Before that, he led the Products operating group's Europe operating unit. Gianfranco also served as Accenture's country managing director for Italy and chairman of Accenture's geographic council in Italy, Greece and emerging markets region. He has served many global clients during his career, including Pirelli, Alcatel and Sony. Gianfranco joined Accenture after practicing as a certified public accountant, and he became a partner in 1994. Prior to the company's transition to a corporate structure and IPO in 2001, he served as a member of the Accenture Board of Partners and led a global program aimed at redefining the partner compensation and career model.