Sir Martin Sorrell founded WPP, the world’s largest advertising and marketing services group in 1985 and has been chief executive throughout.
 
WPP companies, which include some of the most eminent agencies in the business, provide clients with advertising, media investment management, consumer insight, public relations and public affairs, branding and identity, healthcare communications, direct, interactive and internet marketing, and specialist communications services.

Collectively, WPP employs 145,000 people (including associates) in 2,400 offices in 107 countries.  The Group’s worldwide companies include JWT, Ogilvy Group, Y&R, Grey, Mindshare, Mediaedge:cia, MediaCom, Kantar (including  Millward Brown and TNS), Wunderman, Burson-Marsteller, Hill & Knowlton, Landor, The Brand Union and WPP Digital (including 24/7 Real Media). Clients include more than 345 of the Fortune Global 500, 50 of the NASDAQ 100 and 33 of the Fortune e-50.  In 2008, WPP had pro-forma revenues of $15 billion and billings of $67.4 billion.

Sir Martin actively supports the advancement of international business schools – advising Harvard, IESE, the London Business School and the Indian School of Business.  He has been an Ambassador for British Business, and has been publicly recognised with a number of awards including the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award.  He received a knighthood in January 2000. 

Sir Martin contributes to many important organisations and charities.  In 2006, he was appointed a non executive director of Alpha Topco, the Formula 1 company.  In 2008, he was appointed by The English Football Association to the Board of the bid to stage the 2018 FIFA World Cup.  He is on the Executive Committee of the World Economic Forum International Business Council and a member of the Business Council in the US.  He is a Patron of the British Museum, a member of the corporate Advisory Group of the Tate Gallery, and on the International Advisory Board of The Russian Museum in St. Petersburg.