Li's planned departure continues a shake-up of senior management at Grey's China operations, following news the agency's China CEO, Viveca Chan, will leave the network at the end of the year. Grey has hired Dennis Wong as Chan's replacement. The agency's Shanghai GM, Kenny Wong, also declined to comment on speculation that possible management changes would affect his tenure.
Li, who started his advertising career with Grey Beijing as an account executive in 1994, said his and Chan's departures were "not entirely" connected.
"It's a personal consideration," he said. "I've been working here for 11 years and I think I need to do something new. When WPP acquired Grey it changed things."
Li's managerial duties will be taken up by GM Tammy Sheu, former business director at Ogilvy & Mather Shanghai, who joined Grey last month.
Further shake-up at Grey China as Beijing chief quits
Josh Li, managing director of Grey Global Group's Beijing office, is to leave the agency next month to set up his own strategic planning business.