Mel Edwards, the global president of VML, is to leave WPP after more than 13 years at the agency group.
Edwards, who has effectively been number two to Jon Cook, the global chief executive of VML, will retire in late spring 2026.
VML does not plan to fill the vacancy after her departure.
Edwards has been one of the most senior agency leaders at WPP during the last decade. She served as global chief executive of Wunderman from 2018 and then global CEO of Wunderman Thompson from 2019.
Edwards was deeply involved in two major, internal mergers that have required significant restructuring. First, she led the merger of Wunderman with J Walter Thompson to create Wunderman Thompson and then worked with Cook on the subsequent combination of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson to create VML at the end of 2023.
VML, which employs about 23,000 people globally, has sought to position itself as an integrated agency that combines brand and customer experience and commerce under Cook and Edwards’ leadership. Its clients include Coca-Cola, Colgate, Ford, Nestlé and Unilever.
Edwards said: “My decision to retire next year has given me time to reflect on the incredible journey I’ve had — one filled with inspiring colleagues, clients, and friends from every corner of the world.
“I am so proud of the connected culture and expansive offerings that Jon and I have recently built together at VML. Our ability to be strategic partners with clients across both creativity and technology is truly differentiated. I’m excited to see how VML accelerates even further in the years to come.”
She added: “Personally, I’m looking forward to travelling with my family and enjoying my many more hours of free time.”
It is thought that Edwards, who is British, plans to look at non-executive and advisory work in due course.
She formed a close working relationship with Cook when they were handed the task of overseeing the VML combination and he praised her for her “selflessness” and “team-work”.
Cook explained: “It’s not an automatic thing that two people would gel and put their egos aside to build something pretty special. Mel has been a phenomenal leader, partner and friend, helping to shape VML’s global network over the last two years.
“Her strategic vision, energy, and authentic leadership have touched so many people around the world. I am grateful for her friendship and her unwavering commitment to making VML what it is today.”
Edwards joined WPP in 2012 as UK president of Wunderman and went on to become EMEA CEO when Mark Read was global CEO of the network. When Read went on to become CEO of WPP in 2018, Edwards won promotion to the global CEO role at Wunderman.
She also supported a number of initiatives to support female talent at Wunderman Thompson and VML, including the Magpie mentoring initiative and the Líderas leadership programme in Latin America.
Prior to WPP, she was CEO of Lida, M&C Saatchi’s CRM agency, and started at TBWA.
Cindy Rose, who replaced Read as CEO in September, said: “On behalf of WPP, I want to thank Mel for her leadership, loyalty and passion over the last thirteen years. Her influence and impact have shaped how we partner with our clients every day and her legacy will be felt well into the future. We wish her an amazing next chapter when it begins in 2026.”
WPP has been struggling with low growth, with revenues expected to decline for the second year in a row. Read told Campaign at the annual results in February that internal restructuring, including the merger to form VML, had “perhaps” impacted new business. WPP had been “more internally than externally focused”, he admitted.
