WPP Names Roberto Quarta Chairman-designate - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Advertising giant WPP Plc. ( WPP.L, WPPGY) Wednesday said Roberto Quarta has been appointed to its Board as a non-executive director and Chairman-designate. He will join the Board on January 1, 2015 and will offer himself for re-election at the company's Annual General Meeting to be held in June 2015. Subject to his re-election, he will be appointed Chairman to succeed Philip Lader, who joined the Board as Chairman in 2001.

Roberto Quarta is Chairman of medical technology company Smith & Nephew plc, and Chairman of IMI plc, a FTSE 250 engineering business. He is also a partner at the private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and a non-executive director at Spie SA.

Previously, he was Chief Executive and then Chairman of BBA Group plc, Chairman of Rexel SA and a Non-Executive Director at BAE Systems plc, Equant NV, Foster Wheeler AG and PowerGen plc.

Philip Lader earlier this year announced his plan to step down as Chairman at the close of 2014. The WPP Board has requested that he continue until such time as Quarta steps down as Chairman of IMI plc.

Quarta will be appointed to serve as a member of the Nomination and Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee.