WPP Hires Walmart Exec as Global Chief People Officer

WPP has hired Walmart exec Jacqui Canney as EVP, Global Chief People Officer, responsible for all aspects of employee strategy, including recruitment, talent management, leadership development and learning. She joins on June 1st and succeeds Mark Linaugh.

Canney (pictured) will take up her new position after more than three years at retail giant Walmart, where she has served as EVP - Global People, responsible for attracting and developing talent across the company's operations in 27 countries. Prior to this, she spent 25 years at management consultancy Accenture, the last ten as Senior Executive - Global HR Accenture Digital, Technology, Operations and M&A. During her time with the firm, the company grew from 21,000 people to more than 300,000. In addition, Canney is the co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Future of Work Task Force and a member of the Rework America Business Network, and she also participated in the Council on Foreign Relations Future of Work Task Force.

She now reports to CEO Mark Read, who comments: 'WPP is a company built on talent, and to do the best work for our clients we need to continue to attract the very best people. I am delighted that Jacqui is joining us to lead that effort. She is a passionate advocate of inclusive workplaces, and will play a central role as we create a strong new culture throughout WPP'.

Linaugh, who has decided to retire from the business after sixteen years, will stay on until the summer to ensure a smooth handover process. Read adds: 'I would like to thank Mark for his tremendous contribution to the success of WPP, and before that Ogilvy. He leaves with the best wishes of everyone at WPP'.

Web site: www.wpp.com .