WPP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Chief Executive Officer, AKQA
Ajaz is the CEO of AKQA, which also includes Grey. Recognised as a creative pioneer, AKQA has won over 81 Agency of the Year awards.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Risk Committee
- Counsel
- Group Chief
- Member of the Executive Committee
Andrea was appointed as Group Chief Counsel in 2005 having joined WPP in 1996. Andrea is Chair of the Risk Committee.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
- in 1999 As Director of Corporate Development
Andrew joined WPP in 1999, holding a number of leadership roles in the UK and US before being appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2018. He is responsible for operational performance and implementing the ongoing simplification of the Company's portfolio. Andrew is also responsible for the Company's mergers and acquisitions activity and, through acquisitions such as Essence, VML, AKQA, Satalia and 24/7, he has played a critical role in building WPP's capabilities in technology and AI. He oversees WPP's network of Country Leaders who connect and strengthen the talent and resources of the Company's agencies in their local markets to deliver growth for clients. Prior to WPP, Andrew was a management consultant at LEK, the global strategy consulting firm.
Andrew is an engineering graduate and has an MBA with distinction from INSEAD.
Andrew joined WPP in 1999 as Director of Corporate Development. He held a number of other senior roles including Chief Operating Officer for Europe before being appointed COO in 2018. Andrew is responsible for the Company's mergers and acquisitions activity, and has played a critical role in building WPP's capabilities in technology and AI.
Job Titles:
- Non - Executive Director
- Senior Independent Director
Skills and experience: Angela brings expertise as a leader of creative and technology-driven global businesses. From 2014 until 2019, she was Senior Vice President, Retail, at Apple Inc., where she integrated and redesigned the physical and digital global consumer experience. Angela was CEO of Burberry from 2006 to 2014, where she repositioned the brand as a luxury high-growth company and created the Burberry Foundation. Prior to Burberry, Angela was Executive Vice President at Liz Claiborne, Inc. and President of Donna Karan International, Inc. Angela was a member of the UK Prime Minister's Business Advisory Council from 2010 to 2015.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Chairman
- Chief Communications Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Senior Advisor
- Chairman and CEO, Hill Knowlton Strategies
- Chairman of Burson
- Chief Communications Officer of DuPont
- Senior Advisor to DowDuPont
AnnaMaria has led Hill & Knowlton since 2019. Her previous roles include Chief Communications Officer of DuPont, Senior Advisor to DowDuPont's CEO, and senior positions at Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb. Effective July 1, 2024, she will become Chairman of Burson, formed by the merger of BCW and Hill & Knowlton.
Job Titles:
- Director, Investor Relations ( London )
Arthur has managed WPP's operations in Canada since January 2021, in addition to his role as CEO of Ogilvy Canada. Prior to WPP, he co-founded john st. advertising in 2001, which joined the WPP network in 2013.
Arzu was appointed country leader of WPP in Turkey in 2023. She combines this role with her position as Chairwoman of VMLY&R Turkey and has been an integral part of the business in this market, joining Y&R 30 years ago and rising to become CEO of VMLY&R Turkey in 2004.
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Investor Relations ( London )
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Global ( London )
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Chief Executive Officer, GroupM
Christian was appointed CEO of GroupM - the world's largest media investment group and home to WPP's media agencies - in 2019. Previously, he was CEO of Essence, which he joined in 2013.
Skills and experience: Cindy has extensive experience as a leader in the technology and media sectors, and brings exceptional knowledge of the role technology plays in business transformation. She was appointed Chief Operating Officer for Microsoft Global Enterprise in March 2023. Prior to this, Cindy was President of Microsoft Western Europe, and also CEO of Microsoft UK. She has also held the roles of Managing Director of the UK consumer division at Vodafone and Executive Director of Digital Entertainment at Virgin Media. She spent 15 years at The Walt Disney Company, ultimately as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Disney Interactive Media Group. Cindy is a graduate of Colombia University and New York Law School.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Chief Executive Officer, BCW
Corey became CEO of BCW in 2023, having joined from Google where he was Vice President, Global Communications and Public Affairs. Effective July 1, 2024, he will become CEO of Burson, formed by the merger of BCW and Hill & Knowlton.
CVL Srinivas has been WPP's country leader in India since October 2017. He also held the role of CEO of GroupM South Asia until 2018. Srinivas joined WPP in 1994 as part of the start-up team at JWT India (formerly Hindustan Thompson Associates) and held senior roles across the industry before re-joining the WPP network in 2013.
David has been WPP's country leader in Czech Republic since 2016, having previously led WPP in Central and Eastern Europe. Prior to this, he was CEO of GroupM in CEE, Nordics and Africa.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Chief Executive Officer, Ogilvy
Devika was appointed CEO of Ogilvy in 2022. She joined the agency in 2021 after spending 26 years at McCann. Under her leadership, Ogilvy was named the most creative and effective global agency network in 2023 by WARC.
Job Titles:
- Global Head of Data & AI at WPP Says
Di Mayze, Global Head of Data & AI at WPP says: "While we know that data and AI will power almost every industry of the future, there is a critical skills shortage in this sector in the UK. To help fill this gap, we want The Creative Data School to excite and inspire the next generation and help them understand that creativity and technology are not mutually exclusive, encouraging them to become the data and AI champions of the future."
Dr Susan Scurlock MBE, Founder and CEO at Primary Engineer commented: "Primary Engineer are delighted to be working with WPP and their Creative Data School to bring our STATWARS Competition to schools across the UK. STATWARS enables young people to investigate, understand and present data as well as use it to inform their decision making. Working with WPP helps us connect real life industry professionals with teachers and schools, helping address the digital skills gap and work towards inspiring the next generation of data scientists."
Skills and experience: Ya-Qin is a world-renowned technologist, scientist and entrepreneur with a particular understanding of the changing consumer technology landscape in China. He was President of Baidu Inc., the global internet services and AI company, between 2014 and 2019. Prior to joining Baidu, he held several positions during his 16-year tenure at Microsoft, both in the United States and China, including Corporate Vice President and Chairman of Microsoft China. Ya-Qin is currently a Non-Executive Director of AsiaInfo Technologies Limited, ChinaSoft International Limited and HiSense Group. He is also Chair Professor of AI Science at Tsinghua University and the founding Dean of the Institute for AI Industry Research.
Eric has led WPP's operations in the Netherlands since November 2017. Prior to that, he occupied the role of CEO at GroupM in the Netherlands. Before joining WPP in early 2007, Eric worked in marketing and sales for leading Dutch and international brands.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Appointed CEO of Scholz & Friends Family
Frank-Michael ‘FM' has managed WPP's in Germany since January 2023. FM joined the WPP network in 1998 at J. Walter Thompson. He moved to Scholz & Friends in 2003 as CEO in Germany and was later appointed CEO of Scholz & Friends Family, operating across the DACH region in 2008, a position he continues to hold today.
Gio has led WPP's business in Belgium since June 2020. Following a career as an academic researcher, he started at WPP in 2007 when These Days, the digital agency he co-founded, joined Wunderman/Y&R.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Chief Client Officer
Jane became WPP's Chief Client Officer in 2024. She was formerly Landor's Global CEO for six years, and President of EMEA. Jane has held senior positions at Naked Communications, ITV, Ogilvy New York, McCann-Erickson and Saatchi & Saatchi.
Skills and experience: Jasmine's experience spans marketing, technology, finance, media, telecommunications, and not-for-profit organisations. Alongside this breadth of perspective she brings knowledge of many of WPP's client sectors to the Board. Jasmine began her career in marketing in the technology sector, including with Thomson Financial in the US. After completing the Stanford Executive Program, Jasmine went on to hold leadership roles with Oxfam and Save the Children, including as the first Chief Executive of Save the Children International from 2010 to 2015. She was CEO of London First from 2016 to 2021, and was previously a Non-Executive Director of BT Group plc and Standard Chartered plc.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
Skills and experience: Joanne has extensive experience both in the UK and internationally in a variety of financial and commercial roles. She joined WPP from Britvic where she was Chief Financial Officer and Chair of the ESG Committee. Prior to this, Joanne had a successful career at Tesco where, at the time of leaving, she held the position of Chief Financial Officer of dunnhumby, a global leader in customer data science.
Joanne began her career at KPMG, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Chief Executive Officer, VML
Jon is CEO of VML, which was created following the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson in 2023. He had led VMLY&R since its formation in 2018, as well as its predecessor agency (also known as VML), which he joined in 1996.
Job Titles:
- SVP, Communications & Public Affairs ( North America )
Juan Pedro has managed WPP's operations in Spain since September 2022. Prior to joining WPP, Juan Pedro spent more than 30 years at Accenture in regional and international leadership roles, most recently as the Chairman and Country Managing Director for Accenture Spain, Portugal and Israel.
Karen has been WPP's country leader in the United Kingdom since 2018, a role she held alongside GroupM UK CEO from 2020 until 2022. She was previously Chairperson and CEO of MediaCom UK.
Skills and experience: Keith has a wealth of experience as a marketing and digital leader, and a deep understanding of the ways in which technology is transforming businesses. Keith was previously Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Unilever, a role that included creating and leading Unilever's sustainability programme. Keith was named the World's Most Influential Chief Marketing Officer by Forbes in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and Global Marketer of the Year 2017 by the World Federation of Advertisers. He received The Drum's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 and was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame in 2019. Keith is a Non-Executive Director of J Sainsbury plc.
Kyoko has led WPP's business in Japan since April 2022. She first joined Essence in 2014 as CEO of the APAC region and became Global CEO in 2019. Kyoko has extensive gaming and technology experience, having previously worked at leading international companies including Sony, Electronic Arts (EA) and Gree UK.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Chief Marketing & Growth Officer Global
- Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, WPP & CEO, WPP Open X / Laurent
Laurent became WPP's first Chief Marketing & Growth Officer in 2019. He joined from Publicis where he was President of Digitas North America and International, and Global Client Leader for GSK. In 2022, he was also appointed CEO of WPP Open X, the bespoke global agency model for The Coca-Cola Company.
Job Titles:
- Chief People Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
Lindsay became Chief People Officer of WPP in 2024. Her prior roles at WPP include Chief Client Officer and Chief Transformation Officer, and she was formerly Global CEO of Maxus, which she joined as UK CEO in 2009.
Manuel was appointed to his WPP role in Portugal in January 2005. Prior to joining WPP, he held senior roles at some of Portugal's and Europe's leading advertising and marketing companies, having entered the industry in 1987 working at J. Walter Thompson.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: "There's no doubt that the challenges of the pandemic and the impact of social division and injustice have taken their toll on people's mental and emotional wellbeing over the last year. Making mental wellbeing a priority in the workplace helps to build an inclusive culture that supports our people, and I'm proud that WPP is a founding partner of the Global Business Collaboration for Better Workplace Mental Health."
Skills and experience: Mark has held multiple leadership positions at WPP since joining in 1989. As CEO of WPP Digital he was responsible for WPP's first moves into technology. In 2015, he became Global CEO of Wunderman, which he transformed into one of the world's leading agencies. Mark received a Fellowship in 2021 for outstanding services to the industry in the IPA's New Year's Honours. In 2023 he joined Involve's Hall of Fame following multiple listings as an Empower Advocate (including #1) which recognises leaders who create diverse and inclusive business environments, alongside his five consecutive years as a Heroes champion of women in business. Mark was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the King's New Year Honours 2024 list, for services to the creative industries.
Mark has an economics degree from Trinity College, Cambridge, was a Henry Fellow at Harvard University, and has an MBA from INSEAD.
Mark was appointed CEO in 2018, having held multiple leadership positions at WPP since joining in 1989. As Head of Strategy and then CEO of WPP Digital he was responsible for WPP's first moves into technology, and in 2015 became Global CEO of Wunderman. Earlier in his career, he co-founded internet start-up WebRewards and worked at consultancy Booz Allen Hamilton.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- President of VML Following the Merger of VMLY & R
- President, VML
Mel was appointed President of VML following the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson in 2023. She was previously CEO of Wunderman Thompson and held prior roles at Wunderman as Global CEO and UK CEO.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Country President, US
Michael became WPP's first Country President for the US in 2022. He was previously CEO of Grey Group for five years, following roles including Global President and CEO of Grey North America.
Michael has led WPP's business in the US since June 2022. He joined Grey in 2007 and was named Global CEO of the agency in 2017. Michael has held senior leadership positions at KB+P, Landor and Y&R, and founded a brand consultancy in the 1990s. He is also a member of the WPP Executive Committee.
Job Titles:
- Investor Relations Coordinator ( London )
Job Titles:
- Associate Director - Communications, APAC ( Singapore )
Ranjana has led WPP's business in Indonesia and Vietnam since 2012. She started her career in media at JWT India (formerly Hindustan Thompson Associates) and subsequently worked for WPP's Mindshare and GroupM, most recently taking on the role as GroupM Indonesia CEO. She also served as a Director of WPP AUNZ from April 2016 until 2022.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Chief Executive Officer, Hogarth
Richard was appointed CEO of Hogarth Worldwide in 2016, having joined the company in 2011. Prior to this he was CEO of Gyro, the B2B marketing specialist.
Job Titles:
- Executive Chairman, Buchanan Communications
Job Titles:
- Chief Creative Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
Rob joined WPP in May 2021 from McCann Worldgroup, where he was Global Creative Chairman. During his leadership, WPP has consistently been recognised as a global creative force, securing numerous industry accolades. Before McCann he was Partner and Chief Creative Officer at Crispin Porter + Bogusky.
Skills and experience: Roberto has extensive experience in corporate governance and global commerce, having served on the boards of a number of UK and international companies. His career in private equity brings valuable experience to WPP, particularly when evaluating acquisitions and new business opportunities. Roberto is a Partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, and Chairman of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Europe. He is an Independent Non-Executive Director of Gulf Capital. Previously he was Chairman of Smith and Nephew plc, Chief Executive and then Chairman of BBA Group plc, Chairman of Rexel SA, Chairman of IMI plc and a Non-Executive Director at BAE Systems plc, Equant NV, Foster Wheeler AG and PowerGen plc.
Rose has been country leader of WPP in Australia and New Zealand since January 2022. She founded Pophouse, one of Australia's leading agencies, which joined the STW Group in 2007. She became Chief Strategy Officer of WPP AUNZ following its merger with STW in 2016.
Skills and experience: Sandrine brings substantial financial expertise gained in global companies and strong strategic capability to the Board. She is currently CFO of UCB, a global pharmaceutical company. Previously Sandrine was CFO of Proximus. She held a number of leadership roles at Vivendi in France and the US across its entertainment and telecommunications business, and has an enthusiasm for cultural, technological and business transformation. Sandrine began her career as a financial analyst at BNP and then Credit Agricole in the telecoms sector. She has held other non-executive director roles, most recently at Solocal Group.
Skills and experience: Simon has extensive business, capital markets, technology, corporate finance and governance experience, and is currently Chairman of Genomics plc and a Senior Advisor at global investment firm The Carlyle Group. He was previously CFO of GlaxoSmithKline plc from 2011 to 2019. Prior to GSK, Simon worked in investment banking for 25 years, firstly at SG Warburg and then Goldman Sachs, where he was Managing Director and Partner as a leader of its European M&A business and Head of UK Investment Banking. Simon also previously served as Chairman of both the Financial Reporting Council and the 100 Group of FTSE CFOs.
Job Titles:
- Country Manager
- Country Manager WPP in Italia, Ha Commentato
Simona Maggini, Country Manager WPP in Italia, ha commentato: "Siamo orgogliosi di supportare la comunità LGBTQ+ di Milano attraverso questa creativa installazione luminosa, ma il nostro sostegno va ben oltre il Pride Month. WPP si impegna quotidianamente per costruire un futuro migliore per le sue persone e per una cultura più inclusiva che celebri diversità e differenze stimolando la creatività. Non si tratta solo di lottare contro nemici invisibili come ignoranza e razzismo, ma di essere consapevoli che ogni differenza è un'opportunità da incentivare anche per raggiungere gli obiettivi più ambiziosi."
Simona Maggini, Country Manager of WPP in Italy said: "We are proud to support the LGBTQ+ community in Milan through this creative light installation, but our support goes far beyond Pride Month. At WPP, we are committed to building a better future for our people and strive to build a more inclusive and empowering culture that celebrates diversity and differences by stimulating creativity. It is not just about fighting invisible enemies such as ignorance and racism but being aware that every difference is an opportunity to be encouraged to achieve even the most ambitious goals."
Simona has managed WPP's business in Italy since May 2020, in addition to her role as CEO of VMLY&R in Italy. She first joined Y&R in 2003, holding a number of senior positions before being promoted to CEO in 2015.
Stefano has managed WPP's business in Brazil since August 2019. He joined WPP in 2005 as J. Walter Thompson Brazil CEO and has held various senior roles at the company in the Americas. In December 2023, he was appointed CEO of the VML Group in Brazil alongside his WPP role.
Job Titles:
- Chief Technology Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
- First CTO
Stephan was appointed as WPP's first CTO in 2018. Before that he was UK Group CEO and Global CTO of Wunderman, having joined the agency in 2016.
Tebogo was appointed to her WPP role in South Africa in May 2021, joining WPP from McKinsey where she was Global Partner leading teams serving major clients across EMEA. In 2005, she founded a boutique strategy consulting firm, North Road Consulting, having previously worked at Bain&Company, The Monitor Group, the International Finance Corporation and Brown Brothers Harriman and Company.
Skills and experience: Tom brings a wealth of expertise as a technology entrepreneur and has extensive experience of the UK technology sector. He is Chair of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and CEO of Crossword Cybersecurity plc. Tom was previously Managing Director of Consumer Markets at Callcredit Information Group. Prior to Callcredit, Tom founded and was CEO of Garlik, an identity protection company. Tom has honorary doctorates from City, University of London, Coventry University, Portsmouth University and the University of Wolverhampton, and is an Honorary Fellow of both Jesus College and St Anne's College, Oxford. In 2017 Tom topped the Powerlist ranking of the most influential people of African or African Caribbean heritage in the UK.
Job Titles:
- Group Director, Investor Relations ( London )