The Board of WPP plc, home to creative, media, public relations and specialist agencies has announced that CEO Mark Read will retire from the Board and as CEO on 31 December 2025.
After more than 30 years with the company, including seven as CEO, Mark has decided that the time is right for him to hand over to a new leader and the search for a successor is underway.
Read said: “When I took on this role our mission was to build a simpler, stronger business, and put structure and new energy behind our 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.”
He added: “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.”
He explained that after seven years and with the foundations in place for WPP’s continued success he feels it’s the right time to hand over the leadership.
