Former BT CEO Jansen to Chair WPP

After nearly ten years as Non-Executive Chairman of marcoms giant WPP, Roberto Quarta is to step down at the turn of the year. He will be replaced by former BT CEO Philip Jansen, who will join the Board on 16th September as an NED.

Former Smith & Nephew leader Quarta replaced Chairman Philip Lader in the key WPP role in December 2014 - Lader had served in the role since 2001. Qarta was briefly Executive Chairman, after Sir Martin Sorrell's sudden departure in 2018, but resumed the Non-Exec Chairman's role on the appointment as CEO of Mark Read.

Jansen (pictured) was Chief Executive of BT Group from 2019 to February 2024, overseeing a strategy to modernise, future-proof and simplify the business; and previously Chief Exec of tech payments firm Worldpay, leading it through its IPO. Prior to this he worked as CEO and then Chairman of Brakes Group, and in a variety of senior positions in Sodexo Group. He began his career at Procter & Gamble, then worked in marketing at Dunlop Slazenger and Telewest, and in general management at Telewest and then MyTravel. He was an NED of Travis Perkins for four years.

Angela Ahrendts, Senior Independent Director of WPP says Jansen 'brings a valuable blend of experience, from leading technology and consumer goods companies to transforming large, complex organisations and creating significant value for shareholders'. She adds: 'As a former marketer he understands our business, its clients and the opportunities ahead of us. We are delighted he is joining WPP'.

Read says of his outgoing colleague: 'On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Roberto for his support for the leadership team and his exceptional contribution during more than nine years with WPP. He has helped to steer the company through significant challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, overseen the restructuring of our portfolio to return WPP to financial stability, and guided the fundamental reshaping of our offer to meet the needs of modern marketing'.

Jansen, who stepped down as BT CEO in January but remained an employee of the group until last month, starts his new job on total fees of £575k per annum.

The group's home page is at www.wpp.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.