[6-K] WPP PLC Current Report (Foreign Issuer)

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

WPP announces that Andrew Scott will retire as Chief Operating Officer and from the Board at the end of the year. He will work with incoming CEO Cindy Rose during the transition period and will continue thereafter as Senior Advisor to hand over responsibilities and support strategy execution. Scott joined WPP in 1999, became global COO in 2018 and joined the Board in 2023.

Throughout his 27-year tenure he led the company’s M&A activity and strategic disposals, with recent deals cited including acquisitions such as Satalia and InfoSum to strengthen WPP’s AI, data and technology capabilities, and disposals including the sale of 60% of Kantar to Bain Capital and the sale of FGS Global to KKR. Compensation details will be disclosed on the company website and in the Directors' Compensation Report.

Positive

• Orderly transition plan: Andrew Scott will work with incoming CEO Cindy Rose and continue as Senior Advisor to support handover and strategy execution
• Long tenure with institutional knowledge: Scott joined WPP in 1999 and served in senior roles including global COO since 2018 and Board member since 2023
• Track record on M&A and disposals: The filing credits Scott with leading acquisitions (e.g., Satalia, InfoSum) and strategic disposals (e.g., sale of 60% of Kantar, sale of FGS Global) that shaped the company
• Clear disclosure commitment: Company will publish director compensation details on its website and in the Directors' Compensation Report in due course

Negative

• Chief Operating Officer retirement announced: Andrew Scott will retire from the COO role and the Board at year-end

Insights

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: A long-serving COO is retiring with a documented transition plan and continued advisory role, maintaining formal continuity on the Board.

Andrew Scott's retirement is a notable leadership change: he will step down from the Board and COO role at year-end but remain engaged as Senior Advisor to support handover to incoming CEO Cindy Rose. The filing states that compensation details will be disclosed in line with legal requirements. This is an orderly, announced transition rather than an abrupt departure, which the company has framed as part of succession and strategy execution continuity.

M&A Specialist

TL;DR: The filing highlights Scott's material role in M&A and strategic disposals that shaped WPP's data and technology positioning.

WPP explicitly credits Scott with leading many acquisitions and disposals that contributed to the group's current structure, citing Satalia and InfoSum acquisitions and the sales of 60% of Kantar and of FGS Global. The company presents his retirement alongside these legacy achievements, indicating institutional recognition of his role in M&A strategy and execution.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_____________________

FORM 6-K

____________________

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Month of August 2025

Commission File Number: 001-38303

______________________

WPP plc

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

________________________

Sea Containers, 18 Upper Ground

London, United Kingdom SE1 9GL

(Address of principal executive offices)

_________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Form 20-F X Form 40-F ___

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ___

Note:  Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ___

Note:  Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company may include forward-looking statements (including as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) in oral or written public statements issued by or on behalf of the Company. These forward-looking statements may include, among other things, plans, objectives, beliefs, intentions, strategies, projections and anticipated future economic performance based on assumptions and the like that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as ‘aim’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘forecast’, ‘guidance’, ‘intend’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘should’, ‘potential’, ‘possible’, ‘predict’, ‘project’, ‘plan’, ‘target’, and other words and similar references to future periods but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. As such, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, as a prediction of actual results or otherwise. Important factors which may cause actual results to differ include but are not limited to: the unanticipated loss of a material client or key personnel; delays, suspensions or reductions in client advertising budgets; shifts in industry rates of compensation; regulatory compliance costs or litigation; changes in competitive factors in the industries in which we operate and demand for our products and services; changes in client advertising, marketing and corporate communications requirements; our inability to realise the future anticipated benefits of acquisitions; failure to realise our assumptions regarding goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets; natural disasters or acts of terrorism; the Company’s ability to attract new clients; the economic and geopolitical impact of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; the risk of global economic downturn; slower growth, increasing interest rates and high and sustained inflation; tariffs and other trade barriers; supply chain issues affecting the distribution of our clients’ products; technological changes and risks to the security of IT and operational infrastructure, systems, data and information resulting from increased threat of cyber and other attacks; effectively managing the risks, challenges and efficiencies presented by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI technologies and partnerships in our business; risks related to our environmental, social and governance goals and initiatives, including impacts from regulators and other stakeholders, and the impact of factors outside of our control on such goals and initiatives; the Company’s exposure to changes in the values of other major currencies (because a substantial portion of its revenues are derived and costs incurred outside of the UK); and the overall level of economic activity in the Company’s major markets (which varies depending on, among other things, regional, national and international political and economic conditions and government regulations in the world’s advertising markets). In addition, you should consider the risks described in Item 3D, captioned “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, which could also cause actual results to differ from forward-looking information. In light of these and other uncertainties, the forward-looking statements included in this document should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that the Company’s plans and objectives will be achieved. Neither the Company, nor any of its directors, officers or employees, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of any events anticipated, expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements will actually occur. Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations (including under the Market Abuse Regulation, the UK Listing Rules and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority), the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
1	Board change dated 29 August 2025, prepared by WPP plc.

For Immediate Release 29 August 2025

WPP plc ("WPP" or the "Company")

Board change

WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP) today announces that Andrew Scott has informed the Company that he will retire as Chief Operating Officer and from the Board at the end of the year.

Andrew will work with incoming CEO Cindy Rose during that period and thereafter as Senior Advisor to transition his various roles and responsibilities to other senior executives as well as supporting strategy execution. 

Andrew joined WPP in 1999 as Director of Corporate Development. He held a number of other senior roles, including Chief Operating Officer for Europe, before being appointed global Chief Operating Officer in 2018 where his responsibilities included leading WPP's country structure in key markets. In 2023 he was appointed to the Board.

Throughout his time with WPP Andrew has been instrumental to the Company's development and growth. Leading WPP's M&A activity, he has been responsible for many of the acquisitions that helped create the business that WPP is today. Most recently, acquisitions such as Satalia and InfoSum have helped to establish the Company's strong position in AI, data and technology. Additionally, he has played a critical role in strategic disposals including the sale of 60% of Kantar to Bain Capital and the subsequent sale of FGS Global to KKR.

Mark Read, outgoing CEO of WPP, said: "Few people have done more than Andrew to shape WPP and to drive its success over the last three decades. He has been a brilliant partner to me and the wider leadership team throughout and has made a tremendous contribution to WPP in his most recent role as Chief Operating Officer."   

Andrew Scott said: "After 27 years at WPP, and at a time of transition for the business, it feels like the right moment to make this change. I've known Cindy for a long time and worked closely with her on the Board of WPP, and I'm excited for the future of WPP under her leadership. I'd also like to thank Mark and the rest of the team for all the support they've given me over the years."

For further information:

Investors and analysts

Thomas Singlehurst, CFA     +44 7876 431 922

Anthony Hamilton                 +44 7464 532 903

Melissa Fung                         +44 7392 280 178

irteam@wpp.com

wpp.com/investors

Media

Burson Buchanan:

Richard Oldworth                 +44 7710 130 634 / +44 20 7466 5000

Chris Lane                            +44 7899 793 612 / +44 20 7466 5000

press@wpp.com

Notes to editors

Details of Andrew Scott's compensation relating to being a director will be disclosed on the Company's website in due course in compliance with Section 430(2B) of the Companies Act 2006, and full details will also be disclosed in the Directors' Compensation Report for the relevant year.

About WPP

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit www.wpp.com.

ENDS

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	WPP PLC
	(Registrant)
Date: 29 August 2025.	By:  ______________________
	Balbir Kelly-Bisla
	Company Secretary

FAQ

What change did WPP (WPP) announce in this Form 6-K?

The company announced that Andrew Scott will retire as Chief Operating Officer and from the Board at the end of the year and will work with incoming CEO Cindy Rose before becoming a Senior Advisor.

Will Andrew Scott remain involved with WPP after his retirement?

Yes. The filing states he will continue as a Senior Advisor to transition his responsibilities and support strategy execution.

What M&A and disposal activity does the filing attribute to Andrew Scott?

The filing cites acquisitions such as Satalia and InfoSum, and disposals including the sale of 60% of Kantar to Bain Capital and the sale of FGS Global to KKR.

How will WPP disclose Andrew Scott's director compensation?

WPP will disclose compensation related to his directorship on the company's website and in the Directors' Compensation Report for the relevant year, in compliance with Section 430(2B) of the Companies Act 2006.

When did Andrew Scott join WPP and when was he appointed global COO?

Andrew Scott joined WPP in 1999 and was appointed global Chief Operating Officer in 2018.