Mark Kleinman: Can Osborne usher in a golden era for HSBC? Business Mark Kleinman is Sky News’ City Editor and the man who gets the Square Mile talking in his weekly City AM column Can Osborne usher in a golden era for HSBC? George Osborne’s words to his Chinese audience were clear: “Through the ups and downs, let’s stick together. Let’s stick together to grow our economies. Let’s stick together to make [...]
WPP shares jump as embattled advertiser draws takeover interest Media Shares in advertising giant WPP soared as markets opened on Monday following reports the firm was the subject of takeover interest. The FTSE 100 group is said to be in the centre of deals chatter with interest from French rival Havas, as well as private equity firms Apollo and KKR. WPP soared ten per cent [...]
WPP shares plunge again on halved dividend and strategic review Media Shares in advertising giant WPP dropped by as much as 4.7 per cent on Thursday morning after it revealed it would launch a strategic review and halve its interim dividend amid falling profit and stagnant revenue. The embattled media group, which owns major agencies like global PR shop Burson and creative juggernaut Ogilvy, revealed its [...]
FTSE 100 smashes intra day high as investors call Trump’s bluff July 10, 2025 The FTSE 100 surpassed its all-time high on Thursday with investors unfazed by the latest barrage of trade threats from President Donald Trump. The UK’s flagship index rallied over one per cent in morning trading to over 8,970. This topped a previous intra-day record of 8,908.82 set on March 3. Miners pioneered Thursday’s jump with [...]
WPP picks Microsoft exec Cindy Rose as CEO amid sliding sales July 10, 2025 WPP has named Microsoft executive Cindy Rose as its new chief executive, as the advertising giant battles declining revenues, key account losses, and a falling share price. Rose will step into the top job on 1 September 2025, replacing Mark Read, who is stepping down after seven years at the helm and more than three [...]
WPP shares dive after sales slump July 9, 2025 Shares in advertising giant WPP plummeted by over 13 per cent on Wednesday morning after the company said sales would take a hit in the second quarter after it lost several key accounts. The FTSE 100 firm said on Wednesday revenue for the first half was expected to decline between 4.2 and 4.5 per cent. [...]
WFH: Office workers in line for quicker promotions and higher pay June 17, 2025 Staff who attend the office regularly can expect bigger pay rises and faster promotions than peers who prefer to work from home (WFH), a fresh survey of top employers has found. According to research from recruitment shop Reed, over two thirds (68 per cent) of UK companies are more likely to compensate office regulars with [...]
WPP boss Mark Read to step down June 9, 2025 WPP’s chief executive Mark Read will step down at the end of this year after the advertiser’s shares hit a four-year low earlier this year amid global economic headwinds and the rise of AI across the sector. Read departs after more a 30-year stint at the London-listed advertising group, of which seven were in the [...]
Are we witnessing the slow death of advertising holding companies? May 5, 2025 The feted founder of AKQA, Ajaz Ahmed, has launched a new agency that promises to take on the “slow, bureaucratic” ad groups that since the pandemic have have been labouring under stagnant revenues and falling share prices. Ali Lyon asks: “Are those holding companies on borrowed time?” Ajaz Ahmed is not a man to shy [...]
WPP bets big on AI after a slow start to 2025 April 25, 2025 WPP‘s revenue edged lower in the first quarter of 2024, as macroeconomic uncertainty and cautious client spending, as well as competitive pressure, weighed on advertising budgets globally. Yet, the firm is leaning heavily into AI, data and integration to fuel long-term growth, securing new business wins and pressing ahead with its transformation strategy. The advertising [...]