Global advertising and communications giant WPP plc yesterday announced that Cindy Rose has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the company with her reign starting September 1. She’d succeed Mark Read who will step down from the top post on the same date.

According to a media statement from WPP yesterday, Reed will continue to work with Rose to support the transition until the end of the year. The incoming chief executive has extensive experience as a leader in the technology, telecommunications, media, entertainment and creative industries gained at world-leading brands.

Commenting on the appointment, Philip Jansen, Chair of WPP, said: “Cindy is an outstanding and inspirational business leader with extensive experience at some of the world’s most recognised companies and a track record of growing large-scale businesses. She has led multi-billion-dollar operations across the UK, EMEA and globally, built enduring client relationships and delivered growth in both enterprise and consumer environments.”

She, the statement added, has spent the last nine years in senior leadership positions at Microsoft where she is currently Chief Operating Officer, Global Enterprise. In this role she helps the world’s largest companies use digital technology and AI to drive business transformation.

Before being appointed to her current Microsoft role in March 2023, Rose was President of Microsoft Western Europe and CEO of Microsoft UK. Other previous roles include Managing Director of the UK consumer business at Vodafone and Executive Director of Digital Entertainment and Media Sales at Virgin Media. She also spent 15 years at The Walt Disney Company, ultimately as SVP and MD of Disney Interactive Media Group, EMEA.

She has been a non-executive director on the WPP Board since 2019. She is a graduate of Columbia University and New York Law School, and an Advisory Board Member at Imperial College Business School in London and McLaren Racing.

Rose, who has British and American citizenship, will be based in both London and New York. She was awarded an OBE in the 2019 New Year Honours in recognition of her services to UK technology.

“WPP is a company I know and love – not only from my six years on the Board but as a client and partner for many years before that – and I couldn’t be happier or more excited to be appointed as CEO. I began my career in the creative industries and this feels like coming home.

“There are so many opportunities ahead for WPP. We have and continue to build market-leading AI capabilities, alongside an unrivalled reputation for creative excellence and a preeminent client list. WPP has the most brilliant, talented, creative people and I can’t wait to write the company’s next chapter together,” Rose exulted.

Outgoing WPP CEO Read said: “Having worked closely with Cindy for the last six years, I am delighted to see her appointed as CEO of WPP.”