In a major move for the British technology sector, global professional services giant Accenture has confirmed its acquisition of London-based artificial intelligence specialist Faculty.
A Strategic Bet on British AI Expertise
The deal, announced on Tuesday 6 January 2026, is poised to transfer more than 400 AI specialists into Accenture's global workforce. This strategic purchase significantly deepens the Dublin-headquartered firm's capabilities in several cutting-edge areas, including applied AI, decision intelligence, and the critically important field of AI safety.
While the financial terms remain undisclosed, the acquisition is expected to finalise pending regulatory approvals. For Accenture, the takeover appears to be a clear talent play, securing one of the UK's most sophisticated AI teams.
From NHS Warnings to Global Consultancy
Founded in 2014, Faculty has carved out a formidable reputation. The firm has worked with a prestigious roster of clients, from UK government departments and the NHS to major corporations and leading AI labs like OpenAI and Anthropic.
One of its most notable projects was developing the NHS 'early warning system' during the pandemic, which helped predict patient demand and manage critical care capacity. The firm has also been involved in politically sensitive data work, including analysis linked to the 2016 Brexit referendum's Vote to Leave campaign.
Faculty operates in a competitive market alongside giants like Palantir and Quantexa and had previously raised close to £40 million in investor funding.
Leadership and Global Ambitions
The acquisition is as much about leadership as it is about technology. Faculty's chief executive, Marc Warner, will take on a pivotal new role as Accenture's global chief technology officer and join its management committee. This gives the UK firm a direct voice at the highest level of the consultancy behemoth.
Warner, a former Harvard quantum physics researcher and ex-member of the UK's AI council, is a prominent advocate for AI safety and regulation. His appointment underscores the strategic importance of the deal.
Julie Sweet, Accenture's chair and chief executive, stated the move would "bring trusted, advanced AI to the heart of our clients’ businesses."
The buyout integrates Faculty's intelligence platform into Accenture's product suite, strengthening its offering to corporate boards aiming to embed AI into core decision-making. Accenture noted the software is already deployed with life sciences clients such as Novartis to improve the economics of clinical trials.
This acquisition marks a significant doubling down on AI by Accenture, which has invested billions globally in the technology. The firm has reshaped its workforce accordingly, now employing approximately 77,000 AI and data professionals, a dramatic increase from 40,000 in 2023.
The deal firmly cements London's status as a global hub for elite artificial intelligence talent and commercial innovation.
