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Mark Read

Operator

Mark Read is Chair of Fifty5Blue and a non-executive director and advisor, following a long career at WPP where he served as Chief Executive Officer from 2018 to 2025. He earlier led Wunderman and built WPP Digital, and is a trustee of the Natural History Museum.

Latest · Mark Read launches Prompt conference for AI start-ups to mix with industry chiefs· May 28

Last updated Jun 6, 2026 by the ATDb Editorial Team

Role
Chair
Company
Fifty5Blue
Based
London, United Kingdom
Boards
1
Connections
5
Years in industry
35 years

Bio

Mark Read is Chair of Fifty5Blue and a non-executive director and advisor, following a long career at WPP where he served as Chief Executive Officer from 2018 to 2025. He earlier led Wunderman and built WPP Digital, and is a trustee of the Natural History Museum.

Career

  • Chief Executive Officer

    WPP · 2018–2025

  • CEO

    Wunderman · 2015–2018

  • CEO, WPP Digital

    WPP · 2006–2015

Board memberships

Natural History Museum (Trustee)

Expertise & education

Expertise

Digital Marketing TransformationAI-Driven MarketingData AnalyticsCreative TechnologyAgency Holding Company StrategyMarketing Services M&ABrand and Performance MarketingCustomer Experience

Education

  • BA, History, Trinity College, Cambridge University
  • MBA, INSEAD

Speaking topics

The future of creativity and AI in advertisingDigital transformation for global brandsThe evolving role of agency holding companiesData-driven marketing and personalization at scaleSustainability and responsible marketing

Recognition

Notable achievements

  • Appointed CEO of WPP in 2018, succeeding founder Sir Martin Sorrell, and stabilizing the company during a period of significant uncertainty
  • Led the merger of Wunderman and JWT into Wunderman Thompson, and later VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson into VML, streamlining WPP's agency portfolio
  • Oversaw WPP's strategic partnership with Google, Microsoft, and other major tech platforms to embed AI into creative and media services
  • Divested WPP's majority stake in Kantar to Bain Capital in a deal valuing Kantar at $4 billion, sharpening WPP's strategic focus
  • Launched WPP's AI-powered marketing operating system and Open platform to unify data and technology capabilities across the group

Awards

Named among the most influential people in advertising by industry trade publications including Campaign and Ad AgeRecognized in Campaign's Power 100 list multiple times

Publications

  • Regular contributor to WPP thought leadership reports and annual reports on the future of marketing and creativity
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