Lindsay will be responsible for overseeing the needs of more than 30,000 people.
Lindsay Pattison has been appointed global chief people officer at one of the world’s largest communications services groups, WPP.
Lindsay, who previously served as the firm’s global chief client officer, will now be responsible for the company’s people strategy and operations.
WPP has presence in 112 countries including South Africa, and currently employs more than 30,000 people through its agencies and partners in the country, with offices in a further 20 countries across the African continent.
According to the company, Lindsay has been a passionate advocate for talent throughout her career and will bring this passion and her business and client experience to the role.
“She is committed to developing the best talent and taking action to improve diversity at the highest levels of business, with a strong track record of delivering initiatives to improve gender diversity in particular. As CEO of Maxus she launched Walk The Talk, an initiative to help senior women reach their full potential, and after moving to her current position she sponsored the scheme at a global level for WPP. More than 3,000 female leaders have participated to date around the world,” the statement adds.
She holds a BA Hons in English literature from the University of Stirling and is also an independent non-executive director for the Rugby World Cup (England 2025) Limited.
Commenting on her appointment, CEO of WPP Mark Read said he is confident that Lindsay will help to drive their future people strategy through her deep understanding of the business, people and culture: “Lindsay is extremely highly regarded across the industry as a leader who can identify and develop top talent, and as a trusted partner to global clients.”
Lindsay succeeds Jennifer Remling, who is leaving to become chief people officer at Warner Bros. Discovery.
