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

[email protected]
wpp.com/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                      

[email protected]

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.

ENDS