Sir Martin Sorrell founded WPP, the world’s largest advertising and marketing services group, in 1985 and has been chief executive throughout.
WPP companies, which include some of the most eminent agencies in the business, provide clients with advertising, media investment management, consumer insight, public relations and public affairs, branding and identity, healthcare communications, direct, interactive and internet marketing, and specialist communications services.
Collectively, WPP employs over 165,000 people (including associates) in over 3,000 offices across 110 countries. The Group’s worldwide companies include JWT, Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, Y&R, Grey, Mindshare, MEC, MediaCom, Kantar (including Millward Brown and TNS), Wunderman, Burson-Marsteller, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Landor, The Brand Union, G2, Fitch, The Partners, AKQA and WPP Digital (including 24/7 Media). Clients include 350 of the Fortune Global 500, all 30 of the Dow Jones 30, 63 of the NASDAQ 100 and 31 of the Fortune e-50. In 2012, WPP had revenues of $16.5 billion and billings of $70.5 billion.
Sir Martin actively supports the advancement of international business schools – advising Harvard, IESE, the Indian School of Business and the China Europe International Business School. He has been publicly recognised with a number of awards including the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award. He received a knighthood in January 2000.
Sir Martin contributes to many important organisations and charities. In 2006, he was appointed a non executive director of Alpha Topco, the Formula 1 company. In 2008, he was appointed by The English Football Association to the Board of the bid to stage the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He is on the Executive Committee of the World Economic Forum International Business Council and a member of the Business Council in the US. He is a Trustee of the British Museum, a member of the corporate Advisory Group of the Tate Gallery, and on the International Advisory Board of The Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. In 2010 he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Bloomberg Family Foundation. He is vice-chairman of IBLAC. He is a non-executive director of Sorrell Capital. In 2011 he was appointed a member of the Advisory Board of Stanhope Capital. In 2012 he was appointed a non-executive director of Alcoa.
