CEO Today United Kingdom Awards

www.ceotodaymagazine.com 34 CEO Today United Kingdom Awards 2019 PUBLIC RELATIONS MARK READ CEO of WPP Plc ABOUT MARK READ Mark Read was appointed CEO of WPP in September 2018. Mark has held multiple leadership positions across the company, including nine years as an Executive Director of WPP plc. For 12 years, as Head of Strategy and then CEO of WPP Digital, he was responsible for the company’s move into technology through the acquisition of 24/7 Real Media, the creation of data-driven creative network POSSIBLE and the launch of Stream, WPP’s celebrated “unconference”. In 2015, he was appointed Global CEO of Wunderman, where he transformed the network into one of the world’s leading creative, data and technology agencies. Wunderman joined forces with J. Walter Thompson in November 2018 to become Wunderman Thompson, a global provider of end-to-end solutions and one of WPP’s largest businesses, with more than 20,000 people across 90 markets and clients including Microsoft, Dell, Shell, HSBC, BT and Adidas. In April 2018 he was named joint Chief Operating Officer of WPP, with responsibility for clients, operating companies and people. Earlier in his career, Mark co-founded and developed internet start- up WebRewards. He also specialised in the media and marketing industries as a principal at consultancy Booz Allen & Hamilton, having started his career at WPP working on corporate development. Mark was named in the Financial Times & HERoes Champions of Women in Business list in 2018, which recognises those who have championed women throughout their careers and are supporting women through the talent pipeline. He is also a member of the Male Champions of Change Global Tech Group, which is committed to accelerating gender equality in the technology sector. Mark has an MBA from INSEAD and an Economics degree fromTrinity College, Cambridge University, and was a Henry Fellow at Harvard University. He is the Chairman of the Natural History Museum Digital Council. Wired magazine ranked him as one of the Top 25 Digital Influencers in Europe in 2014 and he was named The Drum’s Digital Individual of the Year in 2015 and 2017. www.wpp.com FIRM PROFILE WPP creates transformative ideas and outcomes for its clients through an integrated offer of communications, experience, commerce and technology. We blend the best in communications, experience, commerce and technology to build better futures for our clients. Communications Our world-leading capabilities in advertising, content, media investment, public relations and public affairs give us unmatched breadth and depth in the world of communications. Experience Expertise in branding and design, service design, platforms and applications allows us to create vivid, compelling and hyper- relevant brand experiences for clients. Commerce With deep omni-channel retail experience, including creating direct-to-consumer platforms and helping clients navigate marketplaces such as Amazon and Alibaba, we provide cutting-edge commerce solutions – both online and offline. Technology Our data management, marketing technology consulting and systems integration services, alongside our unique partnerships with the world’s leading technology companies, deliver value and growth for our clients.