Hephzibah Pathak elevated as CEO of WPP Creative India

WPP has appointed Hephzibah Pathak as CEO of WPP Creative India, marking a key leadership move as the global advertising network implements its restructuring strategy at the market level.

In her new role, Pathak will oversee WPP’s creative, design and PR agencies in India, including VML, Ogilvy, Burson, AKQA, Landor, and Design Bridge and Partners. She will work closely with agency leaders to drive deeper integration, strengthen capabilities, and simplify access for clients to WPP’s full suite of services.

The appointment reflects an internal elevation rather than an external hire. Pathak has been with Ogilvy since 1997, rising through the ranks from key leadership roles such as Mumbai office head and Chief Client Officer India to becoming Vice Chairperson in 2020 and most recently Executive Chairperson of Ogilvy India.

Her elevation comes as part of WPP’s broader global restructuring initiative, Elevate28, unveiled earlier this year. Under the plan, the company is reorganising into four core units: WPP Media, WPP Creative, WPP Production, and WPP Enterprise Solutions, the latter focused on AI and technology-driven services.

The restructuring aims to deliver £500 million in annual cost savings by 2028, with approximately £400 million earmarked for restructuring expenses over the next two years.

WPP’s strategic reset follows a challenging financial year. The company reported a decline in revenue to £13.55 billion in 2025, alongside a significant drop in operating profit due to impairment charges and restructuring costs.

CEO Cindy Rose has positioned Elevate28 as a long-term recovery plan, with a focus on stabilising the business in 2026, returning to organic growth in 2027, and accelerating performance from 2028 onwards.