March 9 (Reuters) - British advertising group M&C Saatchi said on Monday Chief Executive Zaid Al-Qassab will step down effective March 31, and appointed Non-Executive Chair Heather Rabbatts as interim
British ad firm M&C Saatchi's CEO Zaid Al-Qassab to step down
Leadership Changes and Company Developments at M&C Saatchi
Zaid Al-Qassab's Tenure and Departure
March 9 (Reuters) - British advertising group M&C Saatchi said on Monday that its Chief Executive, Zaid Al-Qassab, will step down, effective March 31, after less than two years in the role.
Background and Achievements
Al-Qassab, formerly the chief marketing officer at Channel 4, was appointed in 2024. He played a significant role in restructuring the business, reducing over 40 individual businesses to five integrated regions and completing its first merger-and-acquisition deals in seven years.
Industry Context
Challenges Facing Advertising Groups
Advertising groups globally have been hit by weak client spending and delayed contract signings as companies prioritise investments such as artificial intelligence amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
Interim Leadership and Future Plans
Appointment of Interim Executive Chair
The company also appointed Non-Executive Chair Heather Rabbatts as interim executive chair until a new CEO is named, and said it would launch a formal search process.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Nithyashree R B in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Rashmi Aich)
