Aricent Group, an international provider of technology consulting services, has a new boss.
Frank Kern, who recently retired as head of its global business services group at IBM, was named chief executive officer of Aricent on Monday. Aricent is based in the U.S. and India.
Aricent is controlled by buyout firms including KKR & Co..
Kern replaces Sudip Nandy who takes a new position in the company as chairman of Indian operations.
Aricent has more than 11,000 workers at 37 locations globally and clients such as Alcatel-Lucent, General Electric Co. and Cisco Systems Inc. Its products and services include telecommunication software and design and engineering for electronic-device makers, according to Aricent’s website.
Investors in Aricent include KKR, Sequoia Capital, Delta Partners and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
“I’m honored to join the Aricent Group at such an exciting time,” Kern said in a statement. “Aricent is an amazing company with the best talent you can find.
“The company plays a critical role in building and sustaining networks and devices that support mobile communications and create new ways for people to interact through technology,” he added. “The Aricent Group has a great foundation, thanks to the work of Sudip and his team, and a terrific future. I look forward to working with the team to continue the company’s tradition of providing outstanding value and innovative services to its clients and helping them succeed.”
Aricent was formed in 2006.
Kern held IBM positions in Australia, China, Japan, Europe, New York and California.
Global Business Services is a $19 billion global consulting division with 110,000 employees.
IBM employs some 10,000 people across North Carolina.
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