In a landmark leadership transition, Mark Read, Chief Executive Officer of global media giant WPP, has announced his retirement after 30 years with the company.
He will officially step down from his role as CEO and retire from the Board on 31st December 2025, marking the end of a distinguished era and paving the way for a new chapter under fresh leadership.
The Board of WPP plc recently announced the news on its website as the search for a new successor began.
Mark Read, CEO of WPP, sees WPP as an extraordinary company with over 100,000 talented and creative individuals, exceptional clients and partners, and a truly global presence. “It has been an immense privilege to serve as its CEO for the past seven years.”
Philip Jansen, Chair of WPP, he expresses his sincere gratitude to Mark on behalf of the Board for his outstanding contributions—not only during his time as CEO, but also over more than three decades of dedicated leadership and service to the company.
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“Mark has played a central role in transforming the Company into a world leader in modern marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent, setting WPP up well for longer-term success.”
“We are pleased that Mark will continue to lead WPP as CEO until the end of the year, remaining focused on the execution of the Company’s growth strategy and supporting a smooth transition to his successor, once appointed,” Philip said.
The powerhouse CEO reflects proudly on his leadership role in transforming the business into a simpler, stronger, and more innovative organisation, driven by creativity and advanced technology. Client satisfaction and partnerships with top global companies have grown, alongside consistent revenue increases.
He emphasised how the company has been recognised for its creativity, notably winning Creative Company of the Year at Cannes Lions. With the launch of WPP Open, it is now leading in AI-driven marketing. With strong leadership and a solid financial foundation, the company is well-positioned for future growth.
“After seven years in the role, and with the foundations in place for WPP’s continued success, I feel it is the right time to hand over the leadership of this amazing company. I am excited to explore the next chapter in my life and can only thank all the brilliant people I have been lucky enough to work with over the last 30 years, and who have made possible the enormous progress we have achieved together.”
“I would also like to thank Phil and the rest of the Board for their steadfast support for me and the wider executive team, and I look forward to supporting them in the transition to my successor in the coming months,” he added.
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