Lindsay Pattison

In May 2017, I was appointed as GroupM’s first-ever Worldwide Chief Transformation Officer (CTO). In this role, I lead a number of change programs to support group and agency structures, talent and leadership development, culture and diversity, as well as WPP’s horizontality strategy. I continue to also serve as Worldwide CEO of Maxus, a role I took in October 2014, with responsibility for 3,000 colleagues across 55 markets, and client media investment worth more than £11.2bn

As the only female to hold the role of Worldwide CEO in the media industry (2014), my first year leading the charge globally at Maxus led to 13% (RECMA) growth, and since then we have consistently been the fastest growing media agency in the world. Responsible for £11.2bn media spend on behalf of clients, Maxus employs 3,000 people across 55 countries in 70 offices.

I am passionate about gender equality, and so in 2015 I launched a global equality strategy at Maxus. First came Mind the Gap, an audit of the company’s gender balance credentials. This data covered pay, agile working and parent policies and led to direct action. Maxus now offers enhanced maternity, agile working and paternity benefits. I then launched Walk the Talk last year - a global award-winning program designed to break down barriers so that women can achieve their potential. This two-day experience has helped over 800 senior women to date with 23 promotions directly attributed to Walk the Tal

I joined Maxus UK in 2009 as the company’s first ever CEO, taking on an agency of 30 people billing £40m and in four short years transformed the business to a team of 200 people, billing £300m.

In 2012, I took on the additional role of Global Chief Strategy Officer, taking direct responsibility for the agency's global planning, data & insights, digital, marketing and new business functions.

Led major accounts including Sainsburys, The AA, Gap/Banana Republic, Macmillan, Simple. Developed DR arm of company, PHD direct.