CGI
Canadian multinational provider of information technology, business consulting, outsourcing, systems integration, and software services.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
CGI Group, legally CGI Inc., is a Montreal-headquartered multinational information technology and business consulting company. It provides application development and maintenance, systems integration, infrastructure management, cybersecurity, business process services, digital transformation, and strategic consulting to governments and commercial organizations. Its customers span sectors including defense, intelligence, healthcare, financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing, energy, transportation, utilities, retail, life sciences, postal services, and public administration. The company was founded in Quebec City on June 15, 1976, by Serge Godin. André Imbeau joined Godin during the company’s first months and became a co-founder. The business initially operated from Godin’s basement with one telephone and a single client. CGI’s name originated from the French phrase “Conseillers en gestion et informatique,” referring to management and information-technology consultants. In English-speaking markets, the company later associated the initials with “Consultants to Government and Industry,” although the brand increasingly came to be presented simply as CGI. CGI began as an IT consulting firm and expanded into outsourcing and systems integration during its early decades. It moved from Quebec City to Montreal as it grew and recorded approximately C$138,000 in revenue during its first year. The company became publicly traded in 1986 through an initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange. During the 1990s it expanded through quality-management initiatives, commercial alliances, and acquisitions, including CDSL Holdings and Bell Sygma. These transactions broadened CGI’s client base and nearly doubled its scale in Canada. The company pursued a more international acquisition strategy in the 2000s. The purchases of IMRGlobal, Cognicase, and most of American Management Systems added global delivery capabilities, software and outsourcing expertise, and a much stronger presence in the United States. Serge Godin left the chief executive role in 2006 to become executive chairman, with Michael Roach succeeding him. CGI subsequently acquired Stanley, Inc. in 2010, strengthening its U.S. defense and intelligence business, and acquired Logica in 2012. The Logica transaction substantially increased CGI’s employee base and made it one of the world’s largest independent IT and business-services companies. CGI’s business combines recurring outsourcing and managed-services work with consulting, implementation, and integration projects. Its offerings include application services, business consulting, business process management, infrastructure services, IT outsourcing, and systems integration. It also develops and operates sector-specific platforms and software, including solutions for banking, government, healthcare, taxation, space, transportation, utilities, and telecommunications. CGI Federal, a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, serves federal agencies in areas such as defense, diplomacy, intelligence, homeland security, justice, treasury, healthcare, and environmental administration. The company has maintained a substantial public-sector practice. Government contracts have included defense and intelligence programs, healthcare and tax systems, benefits administration, immigration and visa processing, public safety, and military training support. CGI also participates in commercial markets and operates security monitoring centers and technology platforms for institutional customers. Its work in the space industry has included software supporting satellite missions and systems associated with Europe’s Galileo satellite program. CGI is listed primarily on the Toronto Stock Exchange and has a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. It is a constituent of the S&P/TSX 60. According to the supplied reference material, CGI operated in more than 40 countries, with roughly 400 offices and about 94,000 employees as of 2025. Th…
History
CGI was established in 1976 in Quebec by Serge Godin and André Imbeau. It began as a management and information-systems consulting firm at a time when organizations were increasingly seeking outside expertise for the planning and operation of computer systems. The company expanded its client base and geographic reach while developing a business model that combined consulting with systems integration and the operation of technology environments. During the 1990s, CGI increased its scale through acquisitions and expanded its capabilities in telecommunications, government, financial services, and enterprise technology. The 1998 acquisition of Bell Sygma was an important Canadian expansion, adding personnel, clients, and service capabilities. CGI also pursued international development and became a public company listed in Canada. In 2004, CGI acquired American Management Systems. The transaction gave CGI a significantly larger presence in the United States and strengthened its work for government agencies and major commercial organizations. It also added expertise in areas such as financial services, healthcare, telecommunications, and public administration. The acquisition supported CGI's transition from a primarily Canadian provider into a broader North American consulting and technology group. CGI's largest expansion phase came with the 2012 acquisition of Logica. Logica had extensive operations in the United Kingdom and continental Europe, including France, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, and other European markets. The combination brought together CGI's North American base and Logica's European delivery network. CGI subsequently operated the enlarged group under the CGI name and integrated regional businesses, customers, employees, and service portfolios. Following the Logica transaction, CGI continued to develop its portfolio through a mixture of acquisitions, organic investment, and sector-focused offerings. Its activities broadened beyond traditional consulting and systems integration to include cloud migration, cybersecurity, application modernization, analytics, artificial intelligence, business process services, and managed infrastructure. The company also continued developing software and platforms for industries where it has long-standing domain expertise, including banking, insurance, government, healthcare, communications, utilities, and transportation. CGI's current identity is that of a global business and technology services provider. It serves public-sector institutions and large enterprises through local operating companies supported by international delivery capabilities. The company remains headquartered in Montreal and is publicly traded in Canada. Its business mix includes project-based consulting and implementation work as well as recurring managed-services and outsourcing arrangements. The supplied subject information includes the name CGI AB, which may refer to a Swedish subsidiary or legal entity within the wider CGI group. Since no single Wikipedia path was provided and CGI is also used by other organizations, the global CGI Inc. interpretation should be confirmed before publication.
- 2012Logica acquisition
CGI completes the acquisition of Logica, creating a much larger transatlantic IT and business services group.
- 2004American Management Systems acquisition
CGI acquires American Management Systems and expands substantially in the United States.
- 1998Bell Sygma acquisition
CGI acquires Bell Sygma, strengthening its Canadian scale and telecommunications-related capabilities.
- 1976CGI is founded in Quebec
Serge Godin and André Imbeau establish CGI as a management and information-systems consulting firm.
Products and positioning
A large, independent, end-to-end IT and business consulting partner for governments and major enterprises, combining consulting, systems integration, software, outsourcing, and managed services.
Consulting and systems integrationIT consulting
CGI advises organizations on business transformation, technology strategy, enterprise architecture, and implementation. Its systems-integration work connects applications, data, infrastructure, and operating processes, often for complex government and enterprise environments.
Application servicesApplication development and modernization
Application services include custom development, maintenance, testing, modernization, and lifecycle management. CGI supports clients moving from legacy estates toward cloud-enabled, modular, data-centric, and digitally accessible application environments.
Managed IT and cloud servicesManaged services
CGI operates technology environments for clients, including infrastructure, cloud platforms, workplace services, service desks, and selected business processes. These services are designed to improve resilience, standardization, operational efficiency, and the ability to scale technology capacity.
Cybersecurity servicesCybersecurity
CGI provides cybersecurity consulting, identity and access management, security operations, risk management, compliance support, and protection for applications and infrastructure. The offering is aimed particularly at organizations handling sensitive data or operating critical services.
Industry software and platformsEnterprise software
In addition to services, CGI develops and operates software and industry platforms for sectors including government, banking, payments, insurance, healthcare, communications, utilities, and transportation. These offerings combine reusable technology with sector-specific processes and regulatory knowledge.
Flagship businesses
- CGI business and technology consulting
- CGI managed services
- CGI cloud and infrastructure services
- CGI cybersecurity services
- CGI application modernization
- CGI industry platforms and software solutions
- IT and business consulting
- Application development and maintenance
- Systems integration
- Managed IT and infrastructure services
- CGI Federal government technology services
- Business process management and outsourcing
- CGI Advantage
- CGI OpenGrid
- CGI Momentum
Brand decisions
- 2012Acquisition of LogicaM&A
CGI aimed to create a larger international technology-services company with substantial European reach.
What changed. CGI completed the acquisition of Logica and adopted the CGI brand across the combined organization.
Aftermath. The combination materially increased CGI's European presence, including operations in France, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
- 2004Acquisition of American Management SystemsM&A
CGI pursued a major expansion in the United States and sought additional public-sector and industry consulting capabilities.
What changed. CGI acquired American Management Systems.
Aftermath. CGI gained a broader U.S. platform and expanded its North American consulting and systems-integration business.
- 1998Acquisition of Bell SygmaM&A
CGI sought to increase its Canadian scale and broaden its technology and telecommunications capabilities.
What changed. CGI acquired Bell Sygma and integrated its operations into the wider group.
Aftermath. The transaction strengthened CGI's domestic market position and contributed to its expansion beyond its original consulting base.
Leadership
| Name | Title | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Hulebaus | Chief Executive Officer | 2026– |
| George D. Schindler | President and Chief Executive Officer | 2016– |
| François Boulanger | Chief Executive Officerformer | 2024–2026 |
| François Boulanger | President and Chief Executive Officerformer | 2024– |
| George D. Schindler | Chief Executive Officerformer | 2016–2024 |
| Michael Roach | Chief Executive Officerformer | 2006–2016 |
| Michael Roach | President and Chief Executive Officerformer | 2006–2016 |
| André Imbeau | Co-founderformer | 1976– |
| Serge Godin | Founder and Executive Chairmanformer | 1976– |
| Serge Godin | Founder; Executive Chairman of the Boardformer | 1976–2016 |
| Serge Godin | Founder; former Chief Executive Officer; Executive Chairmanformer | 1976–2006 |
Controversies
- 2019CGI identified as a cloud provider affected by Operation Cloud Hopper reportingControversy
The Wall Street Journal reported that CGI was among cloud providers whose environments were implicated in the Chinese APT10 cyber-espionage campaign, with activity linked to data accessed between 2013 and 2017.
- 2019Operation Cloud Hopper reportingControversy
Reporting on the APT10 cyber-espionage campaign identified CGI among cloud providers whose managed environments were implicated. The activity was associated with unauthorized access to customer data during a period from 2013 to 2017.
- 2019CGI’s role in Operation Cloud Hopper reportedControversy
Reporting linked CGI-managed cloud infrastructure to access by the Chinese APT10 cyber-espionage campaign, with customer data exposure reported in connection with the wider operation.
- 2014Hawaii tax-system procurement scrutinyControversy
CGI’s work on Hawaii tax and disease-surveillance systems attracted legislative and auditor scrutiny over contract awards, later modifications, and alleged advantages provided to the company. The referenced material also credited the tax system with increasing collections.
- 2013HealthCare.gov launch problemsControversy
CGI’s role in the initial U.S. HealthCare.gov implementation was criticized after the website missed deadlines, failed during its October launch, and continued to experience technical problems. Government officials and media reports questioned project management and contractor oversight, and the government subsequently moved away from CGI for portions of the work.
- 2013Ontario eHealth medical-registry contract cancellationControversy
eHealth Ontario canceled a CGI contract connected with an online medical registry after reported delays of approximately 14 months. The project was described as obsolete after other technology companies reproduced the registry, and payment was disputed under contract terms tied to satisfactory delivery.
- 2013Hawaii Health Connector website failureControversy
The Hawaii Health Connector’s Affordable Care Act exchange experienced severe launch and access problems. CGI developed the website, and the difficulties contributed to political criticism, leadership changes, and questions about the state’s technology procurement decisions.
- 2013CGI criticized over the initial HealthCare.gov rolloutControversy
The U.S. healthcare marketplace experienced severe launch and performance problems, prompting criticism of contractors including CGI and subsequent changes in the government’s vendor arrangements.
- 2013HealthCare.gov implementation problemsControversy
The U.S. federal health-insurance marketplace launched with major outages, slow performance and operational failures. CGI was a principal technology contractor and faced public criticism, while the episode also prompted examination of federal procurement and oversight.
- 2013Hawaii health-exchange technology problemsControversy
The Hawaii Health Connector website experienced serious launch and access problems. CGI’s development role drew criticism alongside scrutiny of the exchange’s management, funding and contractor decisions.
Recent events
- 2026Tim Hulebaus named chief executive following François Boulanger retirement announcement
The supplied reference material states that Tim Hulebaus was named CEO after the announcement of François Boulanger’s retirement.
Leadership change - 2024François Boulanger succeeds George D. Schindler as chief executive
CGI changed chief executives, with François Boulanger succeeding George D. Schindler.
Leadership change - 2014CGI selected for contracts across government, security, and space programs
CGI reported work for U.S. federal agencies, Canadian and state governments, security-monitoring customers, satellite missions, and Inmarsat.
Other - 2012CGI completes acquisition of Logica
CGI completed its acquisition of Logica, substantially expanding its European operations and creating a much larger international IT and business services group.
M&A - 2012CGI acquires Logica
The acquisition substantially increased CGI’s workforce and international scale, making it one of the largest independent IT and business-process services companies.
M&A - 2012CGI wins U.S. Army operational-support contract
CGI received a contract to support Army training elements, intelligence staff, and the Training and Doctrine Command.
Other - 2012CGI acquires Logica in a major international expansion
CGI completed its acquisition of Logica, substantially increasing its workforce, geographic reach and position in the global IT-services market.
M&A - 2010CGI acquires Stanley, Inc.
The transaction nearly doubled CGI’s U.S. presence and expanded its defense and intelligence contracting business.
M&A - 2004CGI expands through the acquisition of American Management Systems
The acquisition of American Management Systems strengthened CGI's presence in the United States and broadened its consulting and systems-integration capabilities.
M&A - 2004CGI acquires most of American Management Systems
The acquisition materially increased CGI’s U.S. presence and added consulting and systems capabilities.
M&A - 2003CGI acquires Cognicase
The transaction expanded CGI’s Canadian technology-services and software capabilities.
M&A - 2001CGI acquires IMRGlobal
The acquisition expanded CGI’s international delivery capabilities and strengthened its global outsourcing model.
M&A - 1995CGI forms a commercial alliance with Bell Canada
Bell Canada purchased CGI shares in an alliance that supported CGI’s expansion in the Canadian technology-services market.
Other - 1986CGI goes public on the Toronto Stock Exchange
CGI completed an initial public offering and established its primary public-market listing in Toronto.
Other
Sources
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