 This announcement comes as Jennifer Remling, the current Chief People Officer, is set to leave WPP to assume the role of Chief People Officer at Warner Bros. Discovery.
Lindsay Pattison is a familiar face at WPP, currently serving as the Global Chief Client Officer. In this capacity, she has been instrumental in fostering and strengthening WPP’s relationships with its major clients, a responsibility she has held since 2018. Her role includes developing and supporting the Global Client Leaders for the company’s most prominent clients, representing a substantial portion of WPP’s revenue. Prior to this, Lindsay held various leadership positions within WPP, GroupM, and the media agency Maxus.
What makes Lindsay’s appointment particularly significant is her long-standing commitment to championing talent and diversity throughout her career. Her extensive experience in the industry has equipped her to take on the role of Global Chief People Officer, where she aims to bring her passion for talent development and her business and client insights to the forefront. Lindsay has a stellar track record of spearheading initiatives aimed at improving gender diversity, with a particular focus on empowering women in leadership positions. During her tenure as CEO of Maxus, she launched “Walk The Talk,” an initiative designed to help senior women reach their full potential. After transitioning to her current role, she extended her sponsorship of the scheme to a global level within WPP, benefitting more than 3,000 female leaders worldwide.
Lindsay’s dedication to diversity and inclusion is not limited to gender diversity. She has played a pivotal role on WPP’s Diversity & Inclusion Council, sponsored the Elevate program designed to support Black female talent, and served as a mentor for early-career professionals within the advertising and communications industry during her time as the President of WACL (Women in Advertising and Communications Leadership).
Beyond her role at WPP, Lindsay’s influence extends to various corporate boards and advisory positions. She is an independent non-executive director for Rugby World Cup (England 2025) Limited, which will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025. She also serves on the board of Waldencast, a NASDAQ-listed global beauty and wellness company, where she chairs the compensation committee. Additionally, Lindsay is on the advisory board of Planet First Partners, a fund that focuses on sustainable products and services, and the Global Client Council of Meta (formerly Facebook). She is also part of the UK Effies advisory board, which is dedicated to enhancing marketing effectiveness. Her previous engagement included two terms on the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Future of Media, where she co-chaired for two years.
Mark Read, CEO of WPP, expressed his enthusiasm for Lindsay’s appointment, emphasizing her reputation as a leader capable of identifying and nurturing top talent and her status as a trusted partner to global clients. He praised her deep understanding of WPP’s business, people, and culture, highlighting her strong commercial focus, which will play a pivotal role in driving the future people strategy of the company. Mark also acknowledged the contributions of Jennifer Remling during her seven-year tenure with WPP.
In her new role as Global Chief People Officer, Lindsay Pattison expressed her excitement about creating a culture and environment where employees can thrive. She recognizes that WPP’s most valuable assets are its people and is determined to ensure that they have the conditions and support needed to excel and deliver outstanding results for clients.
Lindsay and Jennifer will work closely together on the transition until the end of the year, assuming their new positions in January 2024. The announcement of Lindsay’s successor will be made shortly, reflecting WPP’s dedication to ensuring a seamless transition.
Lindsay Pattison’s appointment as Global Chief People Officer not only signifies WPP’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace but also highlights the critical role that people and culture play in the success of the company and its clients. Her wealth of experience and dedication to talent development and diversity make her a formidable choice for this pivotal role within WPP.
