Finance

CEO of UK ad group M&C Saatchi to step down, Sky News reports

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 7, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: April 1, 2026

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March 7 (Reuters) - Zaid Al-Qassab, the chief executive of British advertising group M&C Saatchi, is stepping down after less than two years in the job, Sky News reported on Saturday. Reuters could

M&C Saatchi CEO to step down in the coming weeks, Sky News reports

Leadership Change and Company Outlook

CEO Zaid Al-Qassab's Departure

March 7 (Reuters) - The CEO of British advertising group M&C Saatchi Zaid Al-Qassab is to step down in the coming weeks after less than two years in the job, Sky News reported on Saturday.

Verification and Company Response

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. M&C Saatchi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Announcement Timeline and Succession Planning

The company plans to announce the news next week, Sky News reported. M&C Saatchi said in December 2025 that succession planning was under review by the board, after noting media speculation relating to the CEO.

Background on Zaid Al-Qassab

Al-Qassab, formerly the chief marketing officer at Channel 4, was appointed in February 2024.

Company Performance and Industry Context

Financial Forecast and Growth

London-listed M&C Saatchi forecast profitable growth this year in January, supported by new client wins and cost savings.

Global Advertising Industry Challenges

Advertising groups globally have been grappling with reduced client spending and delayed contracts as companies prioritise investments like artificial intelligence amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Chandni Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Jan Harvey)

Key Takeaways

  • Zaid Al‑Qassab, former CMO at Channel 4, took over as M&C Saatchi CEO on May 13, 2024 (en.wikipedia.org)
  • Under his leadership, M&C Saatchi refocused on higher‑margin specialisms, achieving a strong performance in 2024 with operating profit up nearly 295% (campaignasia.com)
  • The company had forecast a challenging 2025 with lower revenue but expected profitable growth in 2026; his departure comes amidst this transition phase (morningstar.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is stepping down as CEO of M&C Saatchi?
Zaid Al-Qassab is stepping down as CEO of M&C Saatchi.
How long did Zaid Al-Qassab serve as CEO of M&C Saatchi?
He served as CEO for less than two years.
Which news outlet reported Zaid Al-Qassab's departure?
Sky News reported Zaid Al-Qassab's departure.
Has Reuters verified the news about the M&C Saatchi CEO stepping down?
Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

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