Martin Sorrell

Martin Sorrell, the founder of WPP plc, the world's largest advertising and PR group in terms of revenue and staff, served as the longest-serving CEO of a FTSE 100 company. He is currently the Executive Chairman of S4 Capital, a digital-only marketing services company. S4 Capital, under his leadership, acquired Media.Monks for $350 million in July 2018 and its market capitalisation reached approximately £4 billion at its peak in 2021. Sorrell's career has been marked by high-profile acquisitions and controversies, including a hostile takeover of J. Walter Thompson and Ogilvy and Mather in the late 1980s.

Sorrell's notable contributions to the marketing industry have been recognized with several awards and appointments. He was knighted in the 2000 New Year Honours and in 2007, was awarded the Harvard Business School’s highest honour, the Alumni Achievement Award. He has served as a Trustee of the British Museum, chairman of the Global Advisory Board of the Centre for International Business and Management (CIBAM) at the University of Cambridge, UK, and was appointed to the board of directors of associates of Harvard Business School and to the board of the Indian School of Business in 1998.

In addition to his business achievements, Sorrell has played a significant role in shaping the future of the global media industry. He chaired Media.NYC.2020 on behalf of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, which reviewed the future of the global media industry and its implications for NYC. His commentary on economic and marketing trends has made him a sought-after figure in media interviews and discussions. He was named Britain's Most Admired Leader in 2012 by Management Today, a testament to his influence in the field.