WPP has bolstered its top leadership team with the assignment of bigger and better roles to its veterans. This is the first major rejig under the new CEO, Mark Read.
Mark is quickly putting in place the holding company’s leadership team by naming three company veterans Andrew Scott, Lindsay Pattison and Stephan Pretorius to top roles at the firm.
Scott has been named WPP’s permanent Chief Operating Officer. Scott and Read shared the co-COO title during the interim period between former CEO Martin Sorrell’s departure in April 2018 and Read’s appointment in early September 2018.
Scott will continue to focus on the holding company’s asset portfolio, M&A activities and operating structure. He will work closely with country managers and on initiatives including co-locations (like the one that just opened up in lower Manhattan) and shared services.
Pattison has been named Chief Client Officer. Previously, she was Chief Transformation Officer for both WPP and its media operation GroupM. She will work closely with global client leaders on deploying services and optimizing capabilities, and will also focus on organic growth and integrated new business.
Pretorius has been named chief technology officer. Until now, he has been Wunderman’s UK CEO and chief technology officer. He will be responsible for WPP’s technology and data strategies with a focus on client-facing tech and data services. He will also lead relationships with technology partners and investments and will work closely with chief information officer Robin Dargue.
