Harrison to Focus on Kantar Public Role

WPP has announced that Michelle Harrison will move from CEO to non-executive Chair of its Government Practice - which she has led since its inception in 2012 - so as to focus on her role as Global CEO of Kantar's Public division. Global MD Sean Howard steps up to the vacant CEO role.

The moves follow the completion of the Kantar / Bain Capital deal. Dr Harrison (pictured) launched Kantar Public in 2016 and previously split her time between the two roles, but will now focus on the Public division, which the Group says is delivering strong growth with further international expansion expected. Harrison says of the move: 'After seven years in the WPP role, I could not be prouder of what we have achieved, and I look forward to continued partnership between Kantar and WPP in the coming years. There are enormous opportunities ahead for the Public division of Kantar, our clients and our people. We intend to go from strength to strength in leading the future of evidence for public policy and providing our clients with solutions for their increasingly complex policy challenges'.

Howard has been with WPP agencies since 2005, first joining Wunderman Thompson to help build the Seattle-based integrated Team Microsoft and lead the pitch to become T-Mobile's agency of record; then in 2012 becoming MD of ad agency Y&R New York, where he led the pitch for the U.S. Navy's advertising and recruiting business - he will continue as WPP Executive Lead for the Navy. He has served as the Government Practice's MD since 2017.

Kantar CEO Eric Salama comments: 'We have a unique opportunity to build the world's leading research and consulting division for the public realm. Our work around the globe for governments, the public sector, multi-lateral funders and NGOs is world-leading and has real impact on people's lives'.

Web site: www.kantar.com/public .