Communications firm WPP has promoted Lindsay Pattison to global chief people officer, with responsibility for its people strategy and operations.
Pattison will succeed Jennifer Remling, who is leaving to become chief people officer at Warner Bros Discovery. The two will work closely together on the transition until the end of the year and will take up their new positions in January 2024.
Currently holding the role of global chief client officer, Pattison has led WPP’s relationships with its major clients since 2018. She is responsible for developing and supporting the global client leaders of its largest clients, representing a third of WPP’s revenue. Prior to this, she held a number of leadership roles at GroupM and media agency Maxus, where as chief executive officer (CEO) she launched Walk The Talk, an initiative to help senior women reach their full potential. After moving to her current position, she sponsored the scheme at a global level for WPP.
Pattison said: “Our business and our clients succeed when we have the best, most highly motivated talent. Our most valuable assets are our people, and creating the culture and environment where they can do the work of their lives is both what excites me about this new role, and what will deliver results for our clients.”
Mark Read, chief executive officer of WPP, added: “Lindsay is extremely highly regarded across the industry as a leader who can identify and develop top talent, and as a trusted partner to global clients. She has a deep understanding of our business, people and culture, and her strong commercial focus will help to drive our future people strategy.
“Lindsay will bring her business and client experience to the role of global chief people officer. She is committed to developing the best talent and taking action to improve diversity at the highest levels of business, with a strong track record of delivering initiatives to improve gender diversity in particular.”