Mark Foster, IBM

Mark Foster is Senior Vice President, IBM Global Business Services, responsible for the strategy, client value and business performance of IBM’s consulting, systems integration, digital agency, business process outsourcing and application management services businesses across all industries. GBS brings clients the expertise of more than 100,000 consultants and practitioners creating value at the intersection of business insight and information technology.

Prior to joining IBM in 2016, Mark built a distinctive record of achievement as a global business leader, a consultant to businesses and governments around the world, and a creative thinker of broad knowledge and wide interests.

During his 27 years at Accenture, Mark handled a variety of leadership assignments of increasing responsibility. Prior to his retirement from the firm in 2011, Mark served as Group Chief Executive, Global Markets and Management Consulting, leading a team of 15,000 consultants. Previously, Mark led Accenture’s industry teams in Retail, Consumer, Health, Transport and Industrial sectors.

While at Accenture, Mark chaired the World Economic Forum Global Health Initiative Against AIDS, TB and Malaria and was Vice Chair of the Mayor of Seoul's International Business Advisory Council. From 2011 through 2015, Mark served the UK government as founding Commissioner for the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, which oversaw the UK’s foreign aid spending around the world.

Mark has served on multiple business Boards including Heidrick and Struggles, Fidessa, Computer Sciences Corporation, Alexander Mann Solutions and Atento. In the not-for-profit sector, Mark chaired the International Business Leaders Forum and has been a Board member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Mark graduated with a masters of art in classics from University College Oxford.