WPP senior shake-up sees Simon Bolton take over at The Brand Union and Fitch

The two WPP-owned  consultancies will remain separate, autonomous entities, and Bolton will be responsible for ‘exploring opportunities for shared learning and collaboration at the highest level, and delivering an even more highly sophisticated proposition for current and prospective clients’ across both consultancies, according to WPP.

Bolton says, ‘We have two very successful and complementary networks, both of which have tremendous potential to develop further.

‘My brief is to work with the great talent to sustain the vibrant and distinct cultures in both networks, while also looking for points of collaboration and developing an improved offer for clients.’

Bolton replaces former Fitch global chief executive Lois Jacobs, who joins fellow WPP group Landor as chief executive officer.

Jacobs says, ‘Landor is one of the benchmark consultancies and I’m both delighted and honored to be appointed CEO.

‘I look forward to working with the firm’s leadership across the network to find new and interesting ways to expand our service offer and add value to our clients’ business.

Incumbent Landor chief executive officer Mary Zalla has stepped down, and will now lead Landor’s newly created global consumer branding practice, in addition to her role as managing director for the Chicago and Cincinnati offices.

Bolton and Jacobs will both officially take on their new roles from 1 November.

Jacobs will be in a co-CEO role with Zalla until the end of the year, and will split her time between the UK and US.