M&C Saatchi CEO to step down in the coming weeks, Sky News reports (updated)

M&C Saatchi

07/03/2026 12:09

Adds more details, background in paragraphs 2-6

March 7 (Reuters) - The CEO of British advertising group M&C Saatchi SAA.L Zaid Al-Qassab is to step down in the coming weeks after less than two years in the job, Sky News reported on Saturday.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. M&C Saatchi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

     The company plans to announce the news next week, Sky News reported. M&C Saatchi said in December 2025 that succession planning was under review by the board, after noting media speculation relating to the CEO.

Al-Qassab, formerly the chief marketing officer at Channel 4, was appointed in February 2024.

London-listed M&C Saatchi forecast profitable growth this year in January, supported by new client wins and cost savings.

Advertising groups globally have been grappling with reduced client spending and delayed contracts as companies prioritise investments like artificial intelligence amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

 (Reporting by Chandni Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Jan Harvey)

 ((Chandni.shah@thomsonreuters.com;))