WPP CEO Martin Sorrell calls it quits after 33-year in top advertising game

Sorrel, following allegations of personal misconduct and misuse of company assets, made the abrupt end to a storied career

WPP Plc Chief Executive Officer Martin Sorrell is resigning after 33 years, following allegations of personal misconduct and misuse of company assets, marking an abrupt end to a storied career at the top of the advertising industry.

Sorrell, 73, will step aside immediately, according to a statement late Saturday by WPP. Chairman Roberto Quarta becomes executive chairman until the appointment of a new CEO, while Mark Read, who heads WPP agency Wunderman, and Andrew Scott, WPP’s corporate development director, become joint chief operating officers.

It took Sorrell decades to turn a wire shopping basket manufacturer into the world’s largest advertising