London: WPP plc today announced that Chief Executive Officer Mark Read will retire from his role and the company’s Board on 31 December 2025, marking the end of an influential 30-plus-year career with the global advertising and communications giant. A search for his successor is currently underway.
Read, who has served as CEO since 2018, is credited with leading a transformative period for WPP, positioning the company as a modern marketing powerhouse. Under his leadership, WPP deepened its investments in technology, data, and AI, while maintaining its reputation for creative excellence.
Philip Jansen, Chair of WPP, paid tribute to Read’s leadership: “Mark has been instrumental in reshaping WPP into a global leader in modern marketing services. From championing innovation and AI capabilities to bolstering our creative strength, he has laid the groundwork for long-term growth. The Board is grateful for his tireless service and is pleased he will continue to lead the company through the remainder of the year as we transition to new leadership.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Read expressed pride in the company’s progress: “It has been a tremendous honour to lead WPP. When I became CEO, our focus was on simplifying and strengthening the business, and aligning creativity with performance and cutting-edge technology. Today, we are better rated by clients, growing with the world’s top companies, and leading in areas like AI-driven marketing with the full launch of WPP Open this year.”
Read highlighted WPP’s creative resurgence—evidenced by its recent win as Cannes Lions’ Creative Company of the Year—and the consistent growth in revenue with its largest clients.
With a workforce of over 100,000 and a robust global presence, WPP remains financially strong and well-positioned for the future. Read added, “Now is the right moment for a leadership transition. I look forward to what comes next and will support a smooth handover to ensure continued momentum.”
WPP, whose clients include some of the world’s most valuable brands, is expected to announce Read’s successor in the coming months.
