LONDON: The unassuming Mark Read will embark on the unenviable role of running WPP this week, tasked with reshaping a group at the centre of seismic industry change following the departure of the world’s most high profile advertising boss Martin Sorrell. Read, a 51-year-old with experience across strategy and digital operations, is expected to be named WPP’s second-ever CEO in the coming days after persuading the board he had what it takes to lead the world’s biggest advertising company. Sorrell quit the British group in April following a complaint of personal misconduct, which he denied, and after a year-long sharp downturn in trading sparked by cautious clients and competition from Facebook, Google and new consultants. Read, appointed to run the business as a joint chief operating officer until a permanent CEO was found, said in June that WPP needed radical change to remain relevant to clients but that they could evolve their way there, suggesting a review of some assets but no major break up.
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