REG - WPP PLC - Chief Executive Officer Appointment

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RNS Number : 4471Q  WPP PLC  10 July 2025

 For Immediate Release  10 July 2025

 

WPP plc ("WPP" or the "Company")

Chief Executive Officer Appointment

 

WPP plc (LSE/NYSE: WPP) today announces that Cindy Rose has been appointed as
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company, effective 1 September 2025.
Cindy succeeds Mark Read who will step down as CEO on the same date. Mark will
continue to work with Cindy to support the transition until the end of the
year.

 

Cindy has extensive experience as a leader in the technology,
telecommunications, media, entertainment and creative industries gained at
world-leading brands.

 

She has spent the last nine years in senior leadership positions at Microsoft
where she is currently Chief Operating Officer, Global Enterprise. In this
role she helps the world's largest companies use digital technology and AI to
drive business transformation.

 

Before being appointed to her current Microsoft role in March 2023, Cindy was
President of Microsoft Western Europe and CEO of Microsoft UK. Other previous
roles include Managing Director of the UK consumer business at Vodafone and
Executive Director of Digital Entertainment and Media Sales at Virgin Media.
She also spent 15 years at The Walt Disney Company, ultimately as Senior Vice
President and Managing Director of Disney Interactive Media Group, EMEA.

 

Cindy has been a Non-Executive Director on the WPP Board since 2019. She is a
graduate of Columbia University and New York Law School, and an Advisory Board
Member at Imperial College Business School in London and McLaren Racing.

 

Cindy has British and American citizenship and will be based in both London
and New York. She was awarded an OBE in the 2019 New Year Honours in
recognition of her services to UK technology.

 

Philip Jansen, Chair of WPP, said:

 

"Cindy is an outstanding and inspirational business leader with extensive
experience at some of the world's most recognised companies and a track record
of growing large-scale businesses. She has led multi-billion-dollar operations
across the UK, EMEA and globally, built enduring client relationships and
delivered growth in both enterprise and consumer environments.

 

"Cindy has supported the digital transformation of large enterprises around
the world - including embracing AI to create new customer experiences,
business models and revenue streams. Her expertise in this landscape will be
hugely valuable to WPP as the industry navigates fundamental changes and
macroeconomic uncertainty. Cindy's appointment follows a thorough selection
process that considered both internal and external candidates. As an existing
Board member she understands our business and the needs of our clients, and we
look forward to working with her in her new role as CEO.

 

"As he hands over to Cindy, I would like to reiterate my sincere thanks to
Mark for his tireless commitment during more than 30 years with WPP and in
particular the progress he has made to modernise, simplify and transform the
company over the last seven years as CEO. On behalf of the Board and the
company as a whole I wish him all the very best for the future."

 

Cindy Rose said:

 

"WPP is a company I know and love - not only from my six years on the Board
but as a client and partner for many years before that - and I couldn't be
happier or more excited to be appointed as CEO. I began my career in the
creative industries and this feels like coming home.

 

"There are so many opportunities ahead for WPP. We have and continue to build
market-leading AI capabilities, alongside an unrivalled reputation for
creative excellence and a preeminent client list. WPP has the most brilliant,
talented, creative people and I can't wait to write the company's next chapter
together.

 

"I am grateful to Mark for his many contributions to the business over the
years and I look forward to working together to ensure a smooth handover."

 

Mark Read said:

 

"Having worked closely with Cindy for the last six years, I am delighted to
see her appointed as CEO of WPP. From her time on the Board, she has real
insight into our business and knows many of our clients, people and partners
around the world.

 

"She brings deep experience of technology and AI and its transformational
impact on business, and has successfully run large global organisations with
talent at their core. After seven years as CEO, I know that I am leaving WPP
in excellent hands."

 

 

For further information:

 

Investors and analysts

Thomas Singlehurst, CFA      +44 7876 431 922

Anthony Hamilton                   +44 7464 532 903

Melissa Fung                           +44 7392 280
178

irteam@wpp.com (mailto:irteam@wpp.com)
wpp.com/investors (https://www.wpp.com/en/investors)

 

Media

Chris Wade                             +44 20 7282
4600

Burson Buchanan:

Richard Oldworth                    +44 7710 130 634 / +44
20 7466 5000

Chris Lane                               +44
7899 793 612 / +44 20 7466 5000

press@wpp.com (mailto:press@wpp.com)

Notes to editors

This announcement includes inside information as defined in Article 7 of the
Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014. The person responsible for arranging the
release of this announcement on behalf of WPP is Balbir Kelly-Bisla, Company
Secretary.

 

Remuneration

Cindy Rose's remuneration arrangements

Cindy will receive an annual salary of £1,250,000. She will also be eligible
for short- term and long-term incentive plan awards in accordance with the
Directors' Compensation Policy ("the Policy") approved by shareholders at the
AGM in 2023. She will receive benefits and pension in accordance with the
Policy. Cindy will also receive buy-out awards in respect of outstanding
incentives she will forfeit on leaving her former company. These will be
structured in line with the Policy. Further details will be set out in the
2025 Compensation Committee Report.

Cindy's contract of employment will be available for inspection at the
Company's registered office and on WPP's website, wpp.com, in due course.

Mark Read's remuneration arrangements

Mark Read will be treated in accordance with WPP's shareholder approved
Directors' Compensation Policy. Details of his compensation on leaving will be
disclosed on the Company's website in due course in compliance with Section
430(2B) of the Companies Act 2006, and full details will also be disclosed in
the Compensation Committee Report for the relevant year.

About WPP

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to
build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more
information, visit www.wpp.com (http://www.wpp.com/) .

 

ENDS

 

 

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