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 challenge…