Capgemini vs NEC: Founders, CEOs and History
Capgemini was founded in 1967 by Serge Kampf and is led by Aiman Ezzat. NEC was founded in 1899 by Kunihiko Iwadare and is led by Takayuki Morita.
Company facts
Founders
Capgemini
Serge Kampf
Serge Kampf founded Sogeti in Grenoble on October 1, 1967. He built it into Europe's largest IT services group through the 1970s takeovers of CAP and Gemini Computer Systems, listed it in Paris in 1985 and led the 2000 Ernst & Young Consulting deal.
NEC
Kunihiko Iwadare
Kunihiko Iwadare founded NEC (Nippon Electric Company) in 1899. After working for Thomas Edison in New York, he returned to Japan and formed a highly strategic joint venture with Western Electric, creating Japan's very first joint venture with foreign capital.…
CEOs and their tenures
Capgemini
- Serge Kampf1967–2002
Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
He led the 2000 purchase of Ernst and Young Consulting. Paul Hermelin succeeded him as chief executive in 2002.
Source - Paul Hermelin2002–present
Chairman of the Board (CEO 2002-2020)
Over his 18-year tenure as CEO, he transformed Capgemini from a European-centric consultancy into a massive global technology services powerhouse, increasing headcount to over 270,000.
Source - Aiman Ezzat2020–present
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO, he successfully integrated Altran and drove the company's heavy investments in generative AI consulting, maintaining high single-digit growth in a tough macroeconomic climate.
Source - Nive Bhagat2024–present
Chief Financial Officer
She managed Capgemini's complex global financial operations, successfully maintaining operating margins despite aggressive wage inflation in key offshore hubs.
Source
NEC
- Koji Kobayashi1964–1988
Former CEO and Chairman
Kobayashi's C&C concept became closely associated with his name across the global electronics industry and guided NEC's investment into semiconductors and mainframe computing, helping make NEC one of the world's largest chipmakers and computer manufacturers du…
Source - Nobuhiro Endo2010–2016
President
He refocused NEC on infrastructure for business and government. Takashi Niino succeeded him in 2016.
Source - Takayuki Morita2021–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
His tenure has focused on repositioning NEC away from its historical dependence on domestic telecom-equipment and PC hardware sales toward recurring software, cybersecurity, and biometric-identification revenue, an area where NEC has long-standing technology b…
Source
Timeline: Capgemini and NEC side by side
1899NEC
Nippon Electric Company Founded
Kunihiko Iwadare, the Japanese sales agent for Western Electric, and W.T. Carleton, head of Western Electric's Tokyo branch, establish NEC on July 17, 1899, making it one of the first Japanese companies built on direct ties to an American electrical manufactur…
1958NEC
Computer Expansion
NEC expands from communications equipment into computers and enterprise technology.
1967Capgemini
Sogeti Founded in Grenoble
Serge Kampf established Sogeti to pioneer European enterprise data processing.
1975Capgemini
Creation of Cap Gemini Sogeti
Merged with CAP and Gemini Computer Systems to create Europe's IT services leader.
1982NEC
C&C Strategy
NEC promotes the integration of computers and communications as a strategic identity.
1985Capgemini
IPO on Paris Bourse (Euronext: CAP)
Listed publicly in Paris, expanding into an international enterprise leader.
1994NEC
Acquired Packard Bell
NEC acquired Packard Bell. NEC acquired Packard Bell in 1994.
2000Capgemini
Acquisition of Ernst & Young Consulting (~$11B)
Executed landmark mega-acquisition to capture the North American consulting market.
2002Capgemini
Paul Hermelin becomes CEO
Paul Hermelin became CEO of Capgemini in 2002. Led Capgemini as CEO for 18 years, expanding offshore delivery in India and agreeing the Altran deal; chairman since 2020.
2002NEC
NEC Electronics Spun Off
NEC spun off its semiconductor business as NEC Electronics in 2002.
2007Capgemini
Kanbay Acquired
Capgemini bought the US and Indian IT services company Kanbay in 2007 for about $1.25 billion.
2010NEC
Renesas Electronics Formed
NEC Electronics merged with Renesas Technology in April 2010 to form Renesas Electronics.
2011NEC
PC Joint Venture with Lenovo
NEC restructures its PC business through a joint venture with Lenovo.
2015Capgemini
Acquisition of iGate ($4.0B)
Deepened Indian offshore delivery footprint, adding tens of thousands of engineers.
2018NEC
Acquired Northgate Public Services
NEC acquired Northgate Public Services for $645 million. NEC acquired UK-based Northgate Public Services from private-equity owner Cinven for about 475 million (roughly $645 million) to expand its digital-government software business into the British public se…
2020Capgemini
Acquisition of Altran Technologies (~$4.07B (€3.6B) equity value)
Created the global leader in Intelligent Industry and engineering R&D.
2020Capgemini
Aiman Ezzat Becomes CEO
Aiman Ezzat succeeded Paul Hermelin as chief executive in May 2020.
2020NEC
Avaloq Acquired
NEC bought the Swiss banking-software company Avaloq in December 2020.
2021NEC
Takayuki Morita Becomes President and CEO
Takayuki Morita, previously CFO, becomes NEC president and CEO on April 1, 2021.
2024NEC
BluStellar Strategy Launched
NEC introduces BluStellar, a value-creation model applying AI -- including a partnership integrating Anthropic's Claude -- across its IT Services and Social Infrastructure businesses.
2025Capgemini
WNS Acquisition Completed
Bought WNS for $3.3 billion in cash, creating a larger intelligent operations business.
2026Capgemini
H1 2026 Revenue ~$13.7B (€12.08B), Outlook Raised
First-half revenue grew 8.8%; 2026 constant-currency growth target lifted to 8.5%-9.0%.
2026NEC
FY26/3 Revenue Reaches ~$24 billion (3.5827 Trillion Yen)
NEC reports higher revenue and record profit margins, with IT Services and Social Infrastructure as the key businesses.
Acquisitions
Capgemini
- WNS2025$3.3B
- Altran Technologies2020$3.6B
- iGate Corporation2015$4B
- Ernst & Young Consulting2000$11B
NEC
- Avaloq2021$2.2B
- Northgate Public Services2018$645M
- Packard Bell1994Undisclosed
- Electronic Arrays1978Undisclosed
Questions about Capgemini vs NEC
Who is the CEO of Capgemini and NEC Corporation?
Capgemini is led by Aiman Ezzat and NEC Corporation is led by Takayuki Morita. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Capgemini founded vs NEC Corporation?
NEC Corporation was founded in 1899 — 68 years before Capgemini, which was founded in 1967. NEC Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Capgemini.
How many employees does Capgemini have compared to NEC Corporation?
Capgemini employs approximately 417,600 people, while NEC Corporation employs approximately 101,800. Capgemini has the larger workforce at 417,600 employees, compared to NEC Corporation's 101,800. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Capgemini and NEC Corporation headquartered?
Capgemini is headquartered in France and NEC Corporation is headquartered in Japan. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Capgemini and NEC Corporation?
Capgemini was founded by Serge Kampf. NEC Corporation was founded by Kunihiko Iwadare.
Which company has a longer operating history — Capgemini or NEC Corporation?
NEC Corporation has been operating for approximately 127 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Capgemini has been in operation for around 59 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Capgemini vs NEC overview