Ajaz Ahmed resigns as CEO of AKQA Group after 30 Years

WPP today announced that 30 years after founding AKQA, Ajaz Ahmed has resigned as CEO of AKQA Group. 

A further announcement regarding Ahmed's successor will be made in due course. In the interim,  AKQA Group will be led operationally by the existing leadership team at AKQA and Grey, with  WPP Chief Technology Officer Stephan Pretorius overseeing the business in the role of  interim chair. 

Ajaz founded AKQA in 1994 and has been its CEO for 30 years. WPP acquired the company in 2012,  and since 2020, it has operated alongside sister agency Grey within the AKQA Group. 

Under Ahmed's leadership, the company has achieved the distinction of winning  Agency of the Year awards 83 times. 

Ahmed said, “Serving AKQA’s team, clients and values over the past 30 years has been  the greatest honour of my life. Founding AKQA at a young age was the start of an incredible  journey, and if destiny allows, I look forward to another 30 years of meaningful work and  making a difference. I’m tremendously energised about the adventures ahead and the  opportunity to do something new.” 

Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said, “Under Ajaz’s leadership AKQA has become one of the  world’s most recognised and highly regarded agencies. It’s a brilliant business with many  extremely talented people around the world. With its exceptional global team, capabilities and  expertise, AKQA is well-positioned for continued success and we thank Ajaz for his vision and  contribution to the business.” 

Ahmed continues to serve on the boards of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Virgin Unite founded  by Sir Richard Branson and Mission 44 founded by Sir Lewis Hamilton. In 2022, he won the  Spear’s Impact Award recognising his charitable giving and philanthropy.