END OF An Era As Mark Read Announces Retirement From WPP

Mark Read, WPP's CEO for the past seven years, will retire at the end of 2025 (Image: WPP)

The Board of WPP made the announcement, saying that the search for a successor is underway.

Read has been CEO of the company for seven years and has been with the company for more than 30 years.

Right time to hand over leadership

Read says he has decided that the time is right for him to hand over to a new leader.

“After seven years in the role, and with the foundations in place for WPP’s continued success, I feel it is the right time to hand over the leadership of this amazing company.

“WPP is an incredible company with over 100,000 talented and creative people, wonderful clients and partners, and an unmatched presence around the world. It has been an immense privilege to serve as its CEO for the past seven years."

"I am excited to explore the next chapter in my life and can only thank all the brilliant people I have been lucky enough to work with over the last 30 years, and who have made possible the enormous progress we have achieved together.

"I would also like to thank Phil and the rest of the Board for their steadfast support for me and the wider executive team, and I look forward to supporting them in the transition to my successor in the coming months.”

Transformation of WPP

Chair of WPP, Philip Jansen, thanked Read on behalf of the Board.

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mark for his contributions not only as CEO but throughout his more than 30 years of leadership and service to the Company.

"During that time, Mark has played a central role in transforming the company into a world leader in modern marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent, setting WPP up well for longer-term success.

“We are pleased that Mark will continue to lead WPP as CEO until the end of the year, remaining focused on the execution of the Company’s growth strategy and supporting a smooth transition to his successor, once appointed.”

Simpler stronger business

Read says that when he took on this role their mission was to build a simpler, stronger business, and put structure and new energy behind their creativity and performance, powered by world-leading technology.

"I am proud that our teams across the business have delivered that exceptionally well.

"Our clients today rate us more highly than ever before, we now work with four of the world’s five most valuable companies, and our revenues with our biggest clients have grown consistently.

“Our business starts with creativity, and I was delighted for our teams that last year we were once again named Creative Company of the Year at Cannes Lions.

"We have also positioned WPP at the forefront of the industry with our investments in AI and, with the full launch of WPP Open this year, we are now leading the way as AI transforms marketing.

"We have an exceptional leadership team and a secure financial position that allows us to face the future confidently and capture the opportunities ahead."