By: ARUN SUDHAMAN, LONDON — WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell has stepped down from the holding group that he led for the past 33 years, following an an internal investigation into one of the marketing industry's most powerful executives. Sorrell's exit caps a remarkable turnaround for the 73-year-old, whose iron grip on WPP helped characterise its rise into the world's largest advertising company. The end of the Sorrell era was accompanied by statements from both WPP and Sorrell. "Sir Martin Sorrell has stepped down as chief executive officer of WPP with immediate effect," the holding company said in a statement. "Roberto Quarta, chairman of WPP, becomes executive chairman until the appointment of a new chief executive officer." Wunderman CEO Mark Read and Andrew Scott, who is WPP’s corporate development director and chief operating officer for Europe, will share the chief operating officer role. Both have been seen as contenders for the CEO role, despite the lack of a formal succession plan if Sorrell were to leave. The development comes after Sorrell denied allegations that he misused company funds — a charge that prompted the company’s board to investigate allegations of 'personal misconduct' and misuse of company assets. WPP said that the announcement concludes the investigation, noting that "the allegation did not involve amounts that are material". "Sir Martin has been the driving force behind the expansion of WPP to create the global leader in marketing services," said Quarta in a statement. "During this time, the company has been successful because it has valued and nurtured outstanding talent at every level – within and well beyond our leadership teams. On behalf of the board I would like to recognise these achievements and thank Sir Martin for his commitment to the business over more than three decades." In a statement from Sorrell's personal PR firm Project Associates, he said: "Obviously I am sad to leave WPP after 33 years. It has been a passion, focus and source of energy for so long. However, I believe it is in the best interests of the business if I step down now. I leave the company in very good hands, as the board knows. "Mark and Andrew and the management team at all levels have the knowledge and abilities to take WPP to even greater heights and capitalise on the geographic and functional opportunities. I will particularly miss the daily interactions with everyone across the world and want to thank them and their families for all they have done, and will do, for WPP.” Sorrell also issued a lengthy email to WPP's 200,000 employees, in which he lauds the company's achievements. "For the past 33 years, I have spent every single day thinking about the future of WPP," wrote Sorrell. "Over those decades, our family has grown and prospered." However, Sorrell notes that: "As I look ahead, I see that the current disruption we are experiencing is simply putting too much unnecessary pressure on the business, our over 200,000 people and their 500,000 or so dependents, and the clients we serve in 112 countries. "That is why I have decided that in your interest, in the interest of our clients, in the interest of all shareowners, both big and small, and in the interest of all our other stakeholders, it is best for me to step aside. "We have weathered difficult storms in the past. And our highly talented people have always won through, always. "Nobody, either direct competitors or newly-minted ones can beat the WPP team, as long as you work closely together, whether by client and/or country or digitally. "In the coming period, I will be available to the Board and any of you, should you want help with anything, anywhere. I shall miss all of you greatly. You have given me such excitement and energy and I wanted to thank you for everything you have done and will do for WPP and me. "As some of you know, my family has expanded recently, WPP will always be my baby too. "As a Founder, I can say that WPP is not just a matter of life or death, it was, is and will be more important than that. Good fortune and Godspeed to all of you…now Back to the Future." Sorrell will remain with the company for an unspecified time "to assist with the transition" pending the confirmation of his successor or successors. Source: https://www.holmesreport.com/
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