WPP finance chief Joanne Wilson to become Diageo CFO, Sky News reports (updated)
UPDATE 3-WPP finance chief Joanne Wilson to become Diageo CFO, Sky News reports Recasts throughout, adds background and shares
Sept 22 (Reuters) - WPP WPP.L CFO Joanne Wilson is set to leave Britain's biggest advertising group to become finance chief at Guinness maker Diageo DGE.L, Sky News reported on Tuesday.
Wilson's potential departure from WPP, less than four years into the role, would come as the Ogilvy agency owner looks to turn around its business after losing its position as the world's largest ad group to France's Publicis PUBP.PA.
Diageo is finalising Wilson's appointment and could announce the move as early as Wednesday, the report said.
Diageo declined to comment, while WPP did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours.
Wilson would replace Diageo CFO Nik Jhangiani, who Sky News said was expected to leave the Johnnie Walker maker.
Jhangiani joined Diageo as CFO in May 2024 and was briefly interim CEO before Dave Lewis took over the top role this year.
Some investors had previously expected Jhangiani would become permanent CEO at Diageo. Jhangiani resumed the finance chief role in January.
Wilson's potential move to Diageo also comes amid a broad overhaul under Lewis that has already led to the departure of several senior executives and reductions in headcount.
Lewis last month unveiled a $1 billion cost-cutting plan, saying the world's largest spirits maker must adapt to a prolonged period of weak growth.
Wilson and Lewis have both previously worked together at Tesco TSCO.L.
Diageo shares have gained roughly 2% so far this year after four straight years of declines. WPP shares have risen nearly 14% this year after a 59% drop in 2025.
(Reporting by Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda and Subhranshu Sahu)