WPP shareholders have approved a new executive compensation package that could see incoming CEO Cindy Rose earn up to $14.8 million (£11.1 million) annually in salary and bonuses, according to a report by Adweek.
The package marks a significant increase from the maximum $10.8 million (£8.6 million) compensation package awarded to former CEO Mark Read before his departure in September 2025.
Under the revised structure, Rose’s base salary has been fixed at $1.7 million (£1.25 million), with additional earnings tied to short- and long-term incentive schemes linked to company performance.
The proposal was approved during WPP’s annual general meeting in London, where 75% of shareholders voted in favor of revising the company’s executive pay structure.
According to the report, Rose could potentially earn as much as $19.3 million annually if she succeeds in boosting WPP’s share price by 50%.
WPP said Rose officially took over as chief executive on September 1, 2025, succeeding Read, who continued supporting the transition process until the end of the year.
Rose brings extensive experience across the technology, media, telecommunications, and entertainment sectors. She spent the last nine years at Microsoft, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer for Global Enterprise, where she worked with major companies on digital transformation and artificial intelligence initiatives.
Before joining Microsoft, Rose held senior roles at Vodafone, Virgin Media, and The Walt Disney Company, where she spent 15 years and eventually became Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Disney Interactive Media Group for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Rose has also served as a non-executive director on WPP’s board since 2019. A graduate of Columbia University and New York Law School, she is also an advisory board member at Imperial College Business School and McLaren Racing.
Rose, who holds both British and American citizenship, will be based in both London and New York City. She was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to the UK technology sector.
