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Annual Report 2020
29 APR 2021
Annual Report 2020
WPP is a creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities.
Our Company’s performance has been remarkably resilient, thanks to the efforts of our people and the demonstrable value of what we do for our clients
Download Chief Executive’s Statement PDF 274 MB
2020 highlights
Although revenue has been impacted by Covid-19 our Company has been resilient and our performance has exceeded expectations – due to our actions over the last two years to simplify and strengthen WPP, our response to the pandemic and the work of our people.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Billings
Revenue
Revenue less pass-through costs
£46.9bn
(2019: £53.1bn)Revenue
£12.0bn
(2019: £13.2bn)Revenue less pass-through costs
£9.8bn
(2019: £10.8bn)CLIENTS
325
Our clients in the Fortune Global 50030
of the Dow Jones 3062
of the NASDAQ 10061
of the FTSE 100PEOPLE
People
Women in executive leadership roles
Employees in shared campuses
Technology accreditations and certifications earned from partners
100,000
Women in executive leadership roles
40%
(2019: 37%)Employees in shared campuses
33%
(2019: 27%)Technology accreditations and certifications earned from partners
21,000+
SUSTAINABILITY
Carbon emissions per person from direct operations (scope 1 and 2)
Electricity purchased from renewable sources
0.52 tCO2e
(2019: 0.82tCO2e1)Electricity purchased from renewable sources
65%
(2019: 37%1)64%
of our top 50 clients have committed to setting science‑based carbon reduction targets
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COMMUNITIES
10th
in the FTSE 100 Rankings for Women on Boards, Hampton- Alexander Review(2019: 12th)
Leader in the
Bloomberg Gender Equality Index
for the third year in a row100%
in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index(2019: 85%)
A strategy for growth
It has been two years since we set out our strategy to return WPP to growth. We have made significant progress, with stronger agency brands, new leadership, a simpler structure and a strong balance sheet.
Our business model
We are a creative transformation company, offering clients a comprehensive range of communications, experience, commerce and technology services. We provide these services through a number of integrated global agencies and a client-first approach.
Investment case
The unrivalled combination of our deep client relationships, global scale and value-creating growth strategy underpins the attractiveness of our investment proposition.
That WPP has continued to operate so well in 2020 despite widespread lockdown-enforced remote working reminds us that we are a true ‘people company’
Chairman’s Letter PDF 93 KB
Key events of the year
2020 was a year of challenges, but also successes and progress
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Having simplified our business and reduced debt, we are well positioned to support our clients in achieving their growth aspirations
Chief Financial Officer’s Statement PDF 94 KB
Now is the time for brands to make up for lost time
By Jeremy Bullmore
Downloads
WPP Annual Report 2020 PDF 13.5 MB
Chief Executive’s Statement PDF 274 KBChairman’s Letter PDF 93 KB
Chief Financial Officer’s Statement PDF 94 KB
Strategic Report PDF 13.2 MB
Sustainability PDF 3.8 MB
Corporate Governance PDF 2.7 MB
Financial Statements PDF 1.3 MB
Additional Information PDF 1.1 MB
20-F 2020 PDF 1.1 MB
