Sorrell ramps up tensions with WPP after resignation of Chinese director
Former WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell has ramped up tensions between him and his former employer by commenting on the exit of one of its Chinese board members.
Hugo Shong stepped down from the board earlier this year, saying that "additional commitments outside WPP and increased pressure on his time and availability" had led him to resign.
But Sorrell stoked up hostilities after saying Shong's resignation "saddened and disturbed him".
FTSE ad firm WPP has been cementing its presence in the US, and has another Chinese non-executive director, Ruigang Li also sitting on its board.
WPP is currently in the early stages of selling a minority stake in its Chinese division to Alibaba, Tencent and China media.
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Sorrell told Sky News:
As a shareowner, I'm very saddened and disturbed by the departure of Hugo Shong from the WPP board, particularly at a time when WPP is trying to develop and reposition its business in China.
Along with Ruigang-Li, over the last [six] years, he has been a significant factor in the growth and development of WPP's China business in what is now its third largest market. It is not good news.
The ad guru still owns a large stake in WPP, and his latest comments could heighten sentiment in the City that Sorrell is planning to go head-to-head with his old employer.
He launched a new marketing venture S4 Capital weeks after leaving WPP, and recently beat his old employer in a bidding war for a digital agency called MediaMonks.
A WPP spokeperson said: "While the board was sorry that Hugo felt he could no longer serve on the Board with the increased pressure on his time and availability, the board is pleased that he will continue to assist WPP’s businesses in China going forward and WPP’s Board is also privileged to have Ruigang Li amongst its non-executive talent."
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