Global IT consulting giant Accenture has announced it will acquire UK-based artificial intelligence company Faculty in a move designed to strengthen its capabilities in AI strategy, deployment, and safety. The deal comes as Accenture accelerates its push into advanced and responsible AI services to meet rising demand from governments and enterprises worldwide. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Founded in the United States, Accenture said the acquisition would enable it to help clients design and deploy “safe and secure AI solutions” at scale, combining Faculty’s specialist expertise with Accenture’s global reach.
Faculty’s Background and Growth
Faculty was founded in 2014 and has grown into one of the UK’s most prominent applied AI firms. It was co-founded by Marc Warner, who currently serves as its chief executive and has previously advised the UK government on artificial intelligence policy.
The company employs more than 400 people, including data scientists, engineers, and AI researchers. Over the past decade, Faculty has built a reputation for helping organisations move beyond experimental AI projects to real-world deployment, with a strong focus on decision intelligence and AI safety.
In 2021, Faculty raised £30 million in growth funding from the Apax Digital Fund and has raised approximately £40 million in total. It is also backed by venture capital firm LocalGlobe.
Focus on AI Safety and Frontier Models
A distinguishing feature of the faculty’s work has been its emphasis on AI safety and governance. The firm has advised leading frontier AI developers, including OpenAI and Anthropic, helping assess model risks and safety controls prior to release.
Faculty has also worked extensively with the UK government, including on projects to develop AI tools for education, such as supporting teachers with lesson planning and homework assessment. Its public-sector work has reinforced its reputation as a trusted partner in deploying AI responsibly.
Leadership Changes and Integration Plans
As part of the deal, Faculty’s entire workforce will join Accenture. Warner will retain his role as CEO of Faculty and will also become Chief Technology Officer at Accenture, taking on a senior leadership position within the multinational group.
Julie Sweet, chair and CEO of Accenture, said the acquisition would further accelerate the company’s strategy to bring trusted, advanced AI into the core of clients’ businesses. She emphasised that responsible AI is becoming a critical requirement as organisations seek to reinvent operations using increasingly powerful technologies.
Manish Sharma, Accenture’s chief strategy and services officer, added that the combined teams would form a “powerhouse of talent” capable of helping clients deploy AI with transparency, resilience, and real-world impact.
Enterprise Decision Intelligence and Life Sciences
A key element of the acquisition is Faculty’s enterprise decision intelligence product, Frontier, which will now become part of Accenture’s AI offerings. The platform integrates data, AI models, and business workflows to support complex decision-making and forecasting.
Accenture and Faculty have already been working together since 2023, including on projects in the life sciences sector. Together, they are supporting companies such as Novartis in using Frontier to improve the economics and planning of clinical trials.
Part of a Broader AI Strategy
The acquisition underscores Accenture’s broader strategy to invest aggressively in artificial intelligence, particularly as clients demand not only innovation but also safe, explainable, and secure AI systems. With Faculty’s expertise in AI safety and applied deployment, Accenture aims to position itself as a leader in helping organisations adopt AI responsibly from strategy through execution.