Pattison and Pretorius named in WPP leadership change

WPP’s new CEO Mark Read has made a series of senior appointments as he looks to strengthen his leadership team.

Stephan Pretorius, currently UK CEO and global chief technology officer of Wunderman, is to become WPP’s chief technology officer – a new role – with a focus on the client side of tech and data.

Meanwhile, Lindsay Pattison is moving on as chief transformation officer of WPP and GroupM after a year in the role to become chief client officer.

Pattison will be charged with ensuring WPP’s clients have access to the best talent across the group’s global accounts, and that they work effectively with WPP companies and country managers.[advert position=”left”]

Read also announced that Andrew Scott – who Read shared operational duties with following the departure of Sir Martin Sorrell in April – would become chief operating officer on a permanent basis.

Scott will take charge of WPP’s structural and merger and acquisition activity, amongst other key business operations.

WPP, the largest of the holding groups, has already merged digital agency VML and creative agency Y&R.

VMLY&R will employ more than 7,000 people and is expected to be fully operational early next year. WPP said it is to be one of the advertising giant’s principal brands, and will be able to deliver a fully integrated digital and creative offering to clients on a global scale.