WPP has publishes its UK gender pay gap data for 2017. The report shows a group median pay gap of 14.6% across all qualifying UK legal entities. The equivalent national figure is 18.4%. WPP’s group mean pay gap is 25.5%.
The report is in compliance with the new regulations introduced by the UK Government in 2017, which requires all UK companies with 250 or more employees to report their gender pay gap information on an annual basis.
Of all the WPP companies in the UK, JWT London has the highest median gender-based pay gap. This number stands at 44%. According to a report released by WPP, 71% of the upper pay quartile comprised of men and 29% by females.
AKQA, Grey, Ogilvy & Mather and global digital commerce consultancy Salmon were also among the top five with the highest median gender pay gap.
AKQA’s median pay gap was 30.5%, with women forming only 21% of the top-paying roles, while Grey has a 24.6% pay gap, with male (55%) and female (45%) ratio. Following closely behind is Ogilvy & Mather with 24.0% median pay gap, with 37% of the top-paying roles comprised of women. While Salmon had the lowest median pay gap (23.8%) among the top five, representation in the upper pay quartile was skewed – 88% men and 12% women.
The gender pay report launches soon after the network released its financial results where it said 2017 “was not a pretty year”, as like-for-like top line growth was flat against original expectations of 2% growth.
WPP aims to create an environment in which everyone is treated equally and has the same opportunities to develop in their career. It believes that greater diversity, inclusion and gender balance leads to more rewarding and successful workplaces.
