Mark Read, the chief operating officer of WPP, is likely to be announced as the successor of Martin Sorrell as chief executive of the company.
According to numerous reports, Read will be named CEO when the firm releases its financial results on September 4.
WPP has declined to confirm or deny the appointment.
Read has long been seen as the front runner since he was appointed COO in April. He is also CEO of WPP agency Wunderman, a role he has held since 2015.
Sorrell himself endorsed Read as successor, alongside Andrew Scott, who shared the head of operations role.
Bloomberg reported that Read will be regraded as a safe choice by investors who are anxious to restore some security to the business following the acrimonious departure of Sorrell and ensuring rows with the former boss.
Read first joined WPP in 1989 as a corporate development manager, later becoming director of strategy and, in April 2006, chief executive of WPP Digital.
He became head of digital agency Wunderman in January 2015.
