a9703l
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
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Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Month of June 2025
Commission File Number: 001-38303
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WPP plc
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
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Sea Containers, 18 Upper Ground
London, United Kingdom SE1 9GL
(Address of principal executive offices)
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form
20-F X Form 40-F
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Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ___
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the
submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an
attached annual report to security holders.
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ___
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the
submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report
or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must
furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which
the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the
registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules
of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s
securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is
not a press release, is not required to be and has not been
distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if
discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form
6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
Forward-Looking Statements
The
Company may include forward-looking statements (including as
defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995) in oral or written public statements issued by or on behalf
of the Company. These forward-looking statements may include, among
other things, plans, objectives, beliefs, intentions, strategies,
projections and anticipated future economic performance based on
assumptions and the like that are subject to risks and
uncertainties. These statements can be identified by the fact that
they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They
use words such as ‘aim’, ‘anticipate’,
‘believe’, ‘estimate’,
‘expect’, ‘forecast’,
‘guidance’, ‘intend’, ‘may’,
‘will’, ‘should’, ‘potential’,
‘possible’, ‘predict’,
‘project’, ‘plan’, ‘target’,
and other words and similar references to future periods but are
not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. As such,
all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because
they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the
control of the Company. Actual results or outcomes may differ
materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking
statements. Therefore, you should not rely on such forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, as a
prediction of actual results or otherwise. Important factors which
may cause actual results to differ include but are not limited to:
the unanticipated loss of a material client or key personnel;
delays, suspensions or reductions in client advertising budgets;
shifts in industry rates of compensation; regulatory compliance
costs or litigation; changes in competitive factors in the
industries in which we operate and demand for our products and
services; changes in client advertising, marketing and corporate
communications requirements; our inability to realise the future
anticipated benefits of acquisitions; failure to realise our
assumptions regarding goodwill and indefinite lived intangible
assets; natural disasters or acts of terrorism; the Company’s
ability to attract new clients; the economic and geopolitical
impact of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; the risk of
global economic downturn; slower growth, increasing interest rates
and high and sustained inflation; tariffs and other trade barriers;
supply chain issues affecting the distribution of our
clients’ products; technological changes and risks to the
security of IT and operational infrastructure, systems, data and
information resulting from increased threat of cyber and other
attacks; effectively managing the risks, challenges and
efficiencies presented by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
Generative AI technologies and partnerships in our business; risks
related to our environmental, social and governance goals and
initiatives, including impacts from regulators and other
stakeholders, and the impact of factors outside of our control on
such goals and initiatives; the Company’s exposure to changes
in the values of other major currencies (because a substantial
portion of its revenues are derived and costs incurred outside of
the UK); and the overall level of economic activity in the
Company’s major markets (which varies depending on, among
other things, regional, national and international political and
economic conditions and government regulations in the world’s
advertising markets). In addition, you should consider the risks
described in Item 3D, captioned “Risk Factors” in the
Group’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, which could
also cause actual results to differ from forward-looking
information. In light of these and other uncertainties, the
forward-looking statements included in this document should not be
regarded as a representation by the Company that the
Company’s plans and objectives will be achieved. Neither the
Company, nor any of its directors, officers or employees, provides
any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of
any events anticipated, expressed or implied in any forward-looking
statements will actually occur. Other than in accordance with its
legal or regulatory obligations (including under the Market Abuse
Regulation, the UK Listing Rules and the Disclosure and
Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority), the Company
undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit
No.
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Description
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1
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Chief Executive Officer Succession dated 09 June 2025, prepared by
WPP plc.
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For Immediate Release
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9 June 2025
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WPP plc ("WPP" or the "Company")
Chief Executive Officer Succession
The Board of WPP plc (LSE/NYSE: WPP) today announces that Mark
Read, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), will retire from the Board and
as CEO on 31 December 2025. After more than 30 years with the
Company, including seven as CEO, Mark has decided that the time is
right for him to hand over to a new leader and the search for a
successor is underway.
Philip Jansen, Chair of WPP, said:
"On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mark for his
contributions not only as CEO but throughout his more than 30 years
of leadership and service to the Company. During that time 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."
Mark Read, Chief Executive Officer of WPP, said:
"WPP is an incredible company with over 100,000 talented and
creative people, wonderful clients and partners, and an
unmatched presence around the world. It has been an immense
privilege to serve as its CEO for the past seven
years.
"When I took on this role our mission was to build
a simpler, stronger business, and put structure
and new energy behind our creativity and performance, powered by
world-leading technology. I am proud that our teams across the
business have delivered that exceptionally well. Our
clients today rate us more highly than ever before, we now work
with four of the world's five most valuable companies,
and our revenues with our biggest clients have grown
consistently.
"Our business starts with creativity, and I was delighted for our
teams that last year we were once again named Creative Company
of the Year at Cannes Lions. We have also positioned WPP at the
forefront of the industry with our investments in AI and, with the
full launch of WPP Open this year, we are now leading the way as AI
transforms marketing. We have an exceptional leadership
team and a secure financial position that allows us to face the
future confidently and capture the opportunities
ahead.
"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."
For further information:
Investors and analysts
Thomas
Singlehurst, CFA +44 7876 431
922
Anthony
Hamilton
+44 7464 532 903
Melissa
Fung
+44 7392 280 178
irteam@wpp.com
wpp.com/investors
Media
Chris
Wade
+44 20 7282 4600
Burson Buchanan:
Richard
Oldworth
+44 7710 130 634 / +44 20 7466 5000
Chris
Lane
+44 7899 793 612 / +44 20 7466
5000
press@wpp.com
Notes to editors
This announcement includes inside information as defined in Article
7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014.
The person responsible for arranging the release of this
announcement on behalf of WPP is Balbir Kelly-Bisla, Company
Secretary.
Mark Read will be treated in accordance with WPP's shareholder
approved Directors' Compensation Policy. Details of his
compensation on leaving will be disclosed on the Company's website
in due course in compliance with Section 430(2B) of the Companies
Act 2006, and full details will also be disclosed in the Directors'
Compensation Report for the relevant year.
About WPP
WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of
creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients
and communities. For more information,
visit www.wpp.com.
ENDS
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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WPP
PLC
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(Registrant)
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Date:
09 June 2025
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By:
______________________
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Balbir
Kelly-Bisla
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Company
Secretary
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