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The Board of WPP Scangroup Plc has announced the appointment of Akua Owusu-Nartey as its new Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CEO of Ogilvy Africa and an Executive Director, effective November 17, 2025. The appointment was announced through a public notice issued by WPP Scangroup Plc and approved by Capital Markets Authority. Mrs. Owusu-Nartey is a Ghanaian marketing and communications luminary with a career spanning 18 years across key African markets. This appointment places the seasoned marketing and communications doyenne at the helm of affairs for one of the continent’s largest marketing and advertising networks. Her rise from within WPP to become the Group CEO is a vote of confidence in her talent and proven ability. Prior to this role, Mrs. Owusu-Nartey served as the Chief Client Officer & Head of Connected Culture at Ogilvy Africa and, crucially, as acting Managing Director of Scanad Kenya. These afford her direct experience with the company’s East African hub. “The Board is confident that the Company will benefit from Akua’s skills, knowledge, extensive leadership and industry experience,” read a portion of the statement from Company Secretary Winniefred Jumba. Mrs, Owusu-Nartey has managed large cross-functional teams and guided integrated communications and brand transformation for leading brands in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. Her colleagues and industry observers commend her talent in fostering client trust and driving operational excellence, underpinned by a commitment to creative delivery. She is particularly known for creating environments that encourage “purpose-led innovation” and building a strong organisational culture – a skill that will be critical as she takes charge of the entire group. Her experience at Publicis West Africa provides her with a unique, multi-network perspective on the African communications landscape. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Central University College and an Executive MBA from Hult International Business School in the UK. This appointment is a decisive step for WPP Scangroup as it navigates the rapidly evolving marketing landscape in Africa.
