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WPP stands Jens Monsees down from AUNZ role

WPP Plc has made the decision to stand down Jens Monsees from the WPP AUNZ CEO role. Today will be his final day at the business.

In a note to staff, WPP Plc CEO Mark Read told staff: “… and as WPP AUNZ transitions from a public company to a fully integrated part of WPP, he has decided that now is the right moment to step down as CEO and move on to his next challenge.”

 

Monsees will leave WPP

In other parts of the world WPP Plc have country and regional managers working closely with agency leaders to support them, manage central functions, promote WPP’s collective capabilities and coordinate resources on behalf of clients.

WPP plc will appoint someone to this role for Australia and New Zealand, and in the interim, the business will be led by the agency brand leaders supported by WPP (AUNZ) CFO Chris Rollinson and other members of the central team, through an executive committee chaired by global chief operating officer Andrew Scott. WPP declined to comment on whether the role would be filled internally or externally.

Monsees was appointed CEO of WPP AUNZ in October 2019.

“I know you will join me in thanking Jens for everything he has done for WPP AUNZ, and for WPP as a whole,” Read wrote. “He has had a major impact despite the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, our agencies in Australia and New Zealand are well positioned for the future, and he leaves with our very best wishes.”

WPP AUNZ officially became wholly owned by WPP Plc on Wednesday when it delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)

Monsees said: “I am very proud of what we have achieved together as one team, leaving WPP AUNZ as a more future-proof, growing and performing business. I am leaving many great colleagues behind. The strategic progress we accomplished and the strong financial turnaround we achieved are testament to the great collaboration of our people across the business and their ongoing commitment to serving our clients.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the WPP AUNZ board, the local and global executives, the entire WPP community, and my family for their support during such an important journey. I am looking forward to the next exciting chapter ahead.”

Monsees was paid $2.4 million in 2020, including $1.4 million of his $1.5 million fixed annual remuneration, $400,000 in other benefits and $640,000 in vested LTI value.

Australia and New Zealand represent one of WPP’s largest markets worldwide, with revenues of almost US$500 million and 3,800 people employed by its global agency networks.

“Australia and New Zealand have been extremely important to WPP for many years, and are collectively one of our top five largest markets in the world,” wrote Read.

A number of senior WPP managers have left the AUNZ business during Monsees’ tenure. He has also made senior appointments across a number of areas, including Lisa Sheehan as chief people officer; Willie Pang as managing director of Group M services; Sally Kissane as  CEO of Ogilvy Agency; Toby Hemming head of communications and marketing and leaders in  Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane: Mat Hofmeyer, Steve Harris and Katherine Williams respectively.

It is not known what other management changes may occur under WPP Plc new leadership structure in the region.

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