WPP, the global advertising and communications powerhouse, has named Marie-Claire Barker as its new global chief people officer. Stepping into the role in early June, Barker takes the baton from Lindsay Pattison, who is taking a career break after a 16-year stint with the company.

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for WPP, which has been navigating a sea of organisational change. Barker, who brings over 20 years of experience in HR and talent leadership, will be tasked with steering WPP’s global people strategy, culture, and workforce development through choppy waters.

A seasoned hand takes the helm

Barker is no stranger to the WPP family. She most recently held the same title at GroupM, WPP’s media investment arm, where she led the people strategy for a 36,000-strong workforce. Prior to that, she held senior HR leadership roles at Edelman, Wavemaker, and Ogilvy & Mather.

Her career began in marketing at firms like Kimberly-Clark and Britvic Soft Drinks before transitioning to human resources at Allied Domecq Spirits and Wine.

Armed with a degree in human resources management from Kingston University and membership in the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Barker brings a strong blend of commercial acumen and HR expertise. She will be based in New York and report directly to WPP leadership as she takes on the challenge of nurturing talent and strengthening culture across a global network of agencies.

Pattison bows out after a high-speed journey

Lindsay Pattison, who held the top HR post since January 2024, announced her departure in February, citing a need to pause and recalibrate after what she described as a high-octane career. “I’m taking a very intentional break to recharge, and reflect before exploring new opportunities,” she shared on LinkedIn. “I’m incredibly grateful to my colleagues and friends across the company.”

Pattison, who had earlier served as WPP’s chief client officer since 2018, leaves behind a legacy of strategic client engagement and people-first leadership. In a heartfelt company memo, she reflected: “As many of you have experienced first-hand, I tend to do everything at a hundred miles an hour. Although that’s taken me a long way, at some point it’s probably sensible to slow down for a bit and take some time to figure out what’s next.”

Her departure marks the end of an era and opens a new chapter for WPP’s people strategy, one that Barker is poised to shape during a time of significant upheaval.

A leadership shift in a time of transformation

Barker’s appointment is set against the backdrop of major structural shifts within WPP. In April, the firm instituted a four-day in-office mandate, signalling a shift towards post-pandemic workplace normalcy. Just a month later, the company announced sweeping changes within GroupM, which included layoffs and a strategic realignment that placed the iconic Grey agency under the Ogilvy umbrella.

These moves are part of a broader effort to streamline operations and improve agility across the business. However, they have also raised concerns about workforce morale and stability, making Barker’s role all the more crucial.

Financial headwinds have added further urgency to the company’s transformation agenda. WPP reported a 5% decline in year-over-year revenue in Q1 2025, with like-for-like revenue slipping 2.7%. In such a climate, aligning people strategy with business priorities is essential.

With her blend of strategic HR leadership and insider knowledge of the WPP ecosystem, Barker is well-positioned to hit the ground running. Her challenge will be to turn cultural alignment and talent development into levers for business growth at a time when the industry is in flux.

WPP’s bet on Barker suggests it’s banking on her steady hand to guide its people agenda through the current wave of reinvention.