CGI Group Inc. (CGI) (TSX: GIB.A; NYSE: GIB;) is pleased to announce the creation of an International Advisory Council. The Council's mission is to provide strategic counsel towards CGI's vision of becoming a world-class IT and BPS leader. CGI will leverage the Council’s experience to better serve its global clients. Council members are chosen for their track record as leaders of global corporations as well as their knowledge of key vertical economic sectors and geographic markets in the United States, Europe and Canada.
Jacques Bougie, the former CEO of Alcan, will take the leading role as chairman of the Council. Joining him as Council members are Clarence Chandran, Harvey Golub and Michael Hepher.
Since his early retirement from Alcan in 2001 as president and CEO, following 22 years holding various management positions with Alcan, Jacques Bougie has been involved in several community and business initiatives that capitalize on his ability to coach and advise. He has served and still serves on several boards of directors and has chaired several international associations.
Clarence Chandran had a 28-year career in the telecommunications industry before an early retirement in May 2001 as chief operating officer and director of Nortel Networks Corporation. Before this time he held several senior-level positions with Nortel worldwide. Clarence Chandran was appointed president, Business Process Services (BPS) and chairman of the board, India with CGI in November. As announced in a separate press release today (see below), due to health reasons he is stepping down from his position but will remain as chairman of the board of CGI in India.
Harvey Golub is the retired chairman and CEO of American Express, where he spent 17 years, and possesses a tremendous amount of global experience in strategy and international operations management. Under his leadership, American Express redefined its core business resulting in record top and bottom line growth. Mr. Golub is also active on several boards and various philanthropic activities. He is based in New York.
Michael Hepher, an actuary by profession, has held several senior management positions for global leaders including British Telecommunications, where he was group managing director. He was also chairman and CEO of Lloyds Abbey Life and of Charterhouse Group. He is based in London, England.
The Council will complement CGI’s expertise in international markets helping CGI fine tune its strategies and tactics in keeping with its goal of helping its clients win and grow. The Council will do this through advising on differing business practices, pursuing opportunities as well as developing trends and identifying key influencers in business and government.
Serge Godin, chairman and CEO of CGI said: “I am honored to be collaborating with such high caliber business leaders. Together we will take steps towards further realizing the CGI dream of becoming a leading player in the IT services and BPS field. Creating the council is in response to our growing global clientele as we want to be with them every step of the way.”
Jacques Bougie, chairman of the International Advisory Council added: "As a team, the Council will pool together expertise to help CGI continue its global expansion. I am delighted to be associated with such a fine company. While Alcan was CGI’s first major industrial outsourcing contract over 20 years ago, CGI supported Alcan in achieving global leadership. I believe CGI has the wherewithal to continue to evolve as a global leader."
Supplementary announcement:
Effective today and due to health reasons, Clarence Chandran is stepping down from his position as president, Business Process Services (BPS). Following a routine annual check-up, he was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer for which he is currently undergoing medical treatment and is no longer able to maintain his position as president, Business Process Services with CGI. However, he will retain his position with CGI as chairman of the board, India and become a Council member of CGI’s newly created International Advisory Council. In the interim, Michael Roach, president and COO of CGI, will oversee the BPS operations.
"I have always greatly admired CGI and am pleased to remain part of this impressive team through my participation in the Council. Due to health reasons, I am unable to continue with my current duties but want to keep working towards the future success of CGI. In my two months with CGI I have had the opportunity to collaborate with many seasoned professionals and feel confident that in my new role I will be able to continue to evolve what I began by tapping into my international network,” said Clarence Chandran, chairman of the board, India.
Chandran, 54, joined Nortel Networks in 1985 and held numerous senior-level positions including chief operating officer. He retired in May 2001 from Nortel Networks. Mr. Chandran is a director of MDS Inc., chairman of the Conros Corporation and the Chandran Family Foundation Inc.