WPP Scangroup picks Patricia Ithau as new CEO

Ithau is also set to join the board of the company as Executive Director with both roles taking effect on March 14.

She joins the marketing firm from Stanford Institute for Innovation in Development Economics where she has been serving as its Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Patricia previously served as a Non-Executive Director at WPP Scangroup Plc between 2017 and 2020.

WPP Scangroup has described its new CEO as an accomplished business and marketing leader based on her over 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles.

She currently chairs and is a member of renowned local brands boards including retail chain Vivo Activewear, the Vodafone Foundation, Absa Bank Kenya, Jambojet and TradeMark East Africa.

She is also an Advisory Council Member for the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).

Patricia Ithau is set to replace Bharat Thakrar who was suspended as the firm’s CEO in February last year and resigned later in March on allegations of gross misconduct.

She will be tasked with steadying the ship at the company which posted a loss of Ksh.1.7 billion in the year to December 31, 2020.

In September, the board of WPP ScanGroup cleared both Bharat Thakrar and former Chief Finance Officer (CFO) Satyabrata Das after an internal probe into the allegations.

“WPP Scangroup is Kenya’s foremost marketing and communications network. I’m so excited by the opportunity to lead a company that prides itself on delivering outstanding work and creative innovation for clients,” said Ms. Ithau.