Mark Read is CEO of WPP

WPP plc has announced the appointment of Mark Read as chief executive officer (CEO) and his appointment to the Board of WPP as an executive director with immediate effect.

Roberto Quarta, Chairman of WPP, says in a company statement, “The Board carried out a rigorous selection process, assessing internal and external candidates. That process, alongside Mark’s wise and effective stewardship of the business in the last few months, left us with no doubt that he is the right leader for this company, and we are delighted to announce the board’s unanimous decision to appoint him as chief executive officer of WPP.”

Speaking about his new role Read says, “Our industry is going through a period of structural change, not structural decline, and if we embrace that change we can look ahead to an exciting and successful future. Our mission now is to release the full potential that exists within the company for the benefit of our clients, to accelerate our transformation and simplify our offering, and to position WPP for stronger growth.”

He adds, “To achieve that we need to foster a culture that attracts the best and brightest: inclusive, respectful, collaborative, diverse. What makes our company special is its people, and I am very proud to have been given the chance to build a new WPP with them.”

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Roberto Quarta has resumed his role as non-executive chairman on the appointment of Mark Read as CEO.

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Andrew Scott will continue in his role as chief operating officer of WPP on a permanent basis as a key member of the senior management team. The Board would like to thank him for his efforts, alongside Mark and the rest of the executive team, during a period of significant change for WPP.