INTERNATIONAL: Bungey to take charge of Cordiant

<p>Mr Michael Bungey is stepping down as the chairman and chief </p><p>executive of Bates Worldwide to concentrate on running its Cordiant </p><p>group parent. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Mr Bungey, 60, will relinquish control during the next year to be </p><p>succeeded as head of the network by Mr Jean de Yturbe, the French-born </p><p>chairman of Bates Europe. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Mr De Yturbe will also lead the development of CCG United, the group's </p><p>new initiative to encourage more cross-referral of business between its </p><p>subsidiary companies. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The switch comes amid lingering reports that Cordiant, which last month </p><p>reported profits up 60 per cent to £17.8 million, will be acquired </p><p>by a rival communications group. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Cordiant recently acquired Healthworld, one of the world's largest </p><p>healthcare groups, and the US marketing operation Lighthouse. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The deals have fuelled speculation that the group is being fattened up </p><p>for a sale, although this is denied by Mr Bungey. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He said he was giving all his attention to Cordiant because of the </p><p>group's pace of growth. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We have now secured our position as one of the top 10 communications </p><p>companies in the world," he said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"The management task is infinitely more complex. So we need to evolve a </p><p>new structure." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Mr Bill Whitehead, the chief executive of Bates North America, will take </p><p>the new position of president and chief operating officer. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He will take charge of Bates' operations in North America, Europe, </p><p>Asia-Pacific and Latin America. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>A chief executive for Bates North America will be appointed shortly. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>