WPP chief Mark Read to step down as ad agency battles AI

<p>CEO to leave global advertising group after three decades, with shares at their lowest level in about five years</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2025/jun/09/us-and-china-officials-london-trade-talks-stock-markets-business-live-news">Business live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>The boss of WPP, Mark Read, has announced he will step down, as the advertising agency, which was once the largest in the world, struggles against the rise of artificial intelligence and with its shares at their lowest level in about five years.</p><p>Read will leave WPP after more than 30 years, with just under seven spent in the top job. He will stay on as chief executive until the end of the year while the board starts to look for his successor.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jun/09/wpp-boss-mark-read-steps-down-ad-agency-ai-shares">Continue reading...</a>