Skip Header
Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

WPP said to have begun sale process for PR arm

(Sharecast News) - WPP has reportedly begun a potential sale process for its public relations arms, which could pave the way for the advertising group's first major disposal under a dramatic structural overhaul set out by its new boss. According to The Times, advisors at Goldman Sachs are exploring strategic options for Burson on behalf of the advertising company, which could pave the way for an eventual sale of the communications agency.

It comes as Cindy Rose, who was appointed to lead a turnaround of the British advertising group in September, embarks on a plan to simplify WPP's operations and return the group to growth.

Its public relations operations suffered the worst decline in revenue last year, falling 6% on an underlying basis.

Burson was formed via the merger of BCW and Hill & Knowlton, WPP's two largest communications agencies, in 2024 and employs about 6,000 people globally.

The Times said a sale would mark a near-complete exit from PR for WPP, which sold its majority stake in FGS Global to private equity firm KKR, which valued the communications firm at £1.3bn.

At 1345 BST, the shares were up 5.1% at 257.03p.

Share this article

Related Sharecast Articles

Bloomsbury reaffirms outlook after full-year profits jump
(Sharecast News) - Bloomsbury Publishing posted improved annual profits on Wednesday, supported by a rebound in its academic and professional arm.
AEP shares tank as Indonesia centralises export controls
(Sharecast News) - Shares in London-listed palm oil producer Anglo Eastern Plantations (AEP) tanked on Wednesday after Indonesia announced plans to centralise commodities exports through a state-run agency.
Citi reiterates 'neutral' on Standard Chartered, welcomes investor update
(Sharecast News) - Citi reiterated its 'neutral' rating on Standard Chartered on Wednesday after the company's investor update a day earlier.
S&U trading ahead of budget in first quarter
(Sharecast News) - S&U said on Wednesday that first-quarter trading was ahead of both last year and budget, as the specialist motor and property finance group reported improving margins, stronger credit quality and continued recovery at Advantage Finance.

Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.