WPP has appointed Angela Ahrendts to its board as a non-executive director.
The appointment is a big scoop for the advertising giant which has been trying to restructure under chief executive Mark Read. Ahrendts had previously been at Apple where she was senior vice president from May 2014 until April 2019.
Before that Ahrendts was chief executive at Burberry, where she modernised what was at the time a tired British brand.
The advertising industry has been hit by coronavirus with corporates slashing spend and tightening budgets.
Roberto Quarta, chairman at WPP, said: "Angela's reputation as a leader of creative and technology-driven businesses is second to none; she also has deep insight into our clients' needs in a changing world. We are delighted that she will be joining the WPP Board."
Angela Ahrendts said: "WPP is one of the world's leading creative companies. Mark and his excellent leadership team have a strong sense of purpose and a strategy that values creative talent while embracing societal shifts and new technologies. I am so honoured to support their ongoing development as a member of the WPP Board."
