WPP Names Cindy Rose, Microsoft Executive, as New CEO
Cindy Rose to lead WPP through digital transformation as agency group battles market headwinds.
London, 10 July 2025, WPP plc, the UK-based advertising giant, has appointed Cindy Rose, currently Chief Operating Officer for Global Enterprise at Microsoft, as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 September 2025 . She will succeed Mark Read, whose departure comes four months earlier than initially planned though Read will continue supporting the transition through the end of the year. She holds dual British‑American citizenship, was honoured with an OBE in 2019, and will be based in both London and New York.
A board member at WPP since 2019, Rose brings nearly a decade of senior leadership experience at Microsoft, including roles as President of Microsoft Western Europe and CEO of Microsoft UK. Her prior executive positions include stints at Vodafone, Virgin Media, and The Walt Disney Company. Fluent in digital and AI strategy, Rose led global enterprises in applying technology to transform operations and customer experiences.
Her appointment comes amid significant challenges for WPP: the company recently issued a stark profit warning, citing downturns in client spend, major account losses, and a sharp decline in new-business pitches, triggering share price drops of up to 18–19%, landing at a 16‑year low before modest recovery. The outlook foresees a 3–5% decline in like‑for‑like revenue in 2025. Once the world’s largest ad group, WPP was overtaken by Publicis last year and now faces mounting competition amid AI disruption enabling clients to bring marketing in-house.
WPP’s Chairman Philip Jansen lauded Rose’s expertise: “Her track record in leading digital transformation and embracing AI-driven business models will be crucial as WPP navigates industry upheaval and macroeconomic uncertainty”.
Speaking on her vision, Rose commented,
“WPP is a company I know and love … I began my career in the creative industries and this feels like coming home. We continue to build market‑leading AI capabilities alongside unmatched creative excellence and a pre‑eminent client list. I can’t wait to write the company’s next chapter together.”
Mark Read, having helmed WPP for seven years and been with the group for over 30, expressed confidence in his successor: “Having worked closely with Cindy for the last six years … I know that I am leaving WPP in excellent hands.”