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Annual Report 2021
31 Mar 2022
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities.
Through our agencies, we created truly extraordinary work that pushed back the boundaries of what our industry is able to achieve
Chief Executive’s Statement PDF 161 KB Ukraine: Our Response PDF 37 KB
2021 highlights
2021 was a year of success and momentum, thanks to our extraordinary people, agencies, clients and partners.
Building better futures for our people
Investing in our people's future
109,000
Talented people in 112 countries across the globeWomen in executive leadership roles1
39%^
(2020: 40%)Technology accreditations and certifications earned from partners
30,000+
(2020: 21,000+)Building better futures for our planet
Including our industry-leading commitment to reduce carbon emissions from our own operations to net zero by 2025 and across our supply chain by 2030
Carbon emissions per person2 from direct operations (Scope 1 and 2)0.32tCO2e
(2020: 0.52tCO2e)Electricity purchased from renewable sources
74%□
(2020: 65%)A-
CDP scorecard, ranking WPP as a leader on climate change(2020: B)
Building better futures for our clients
Delivering transformational results for our clients
317
of the Fortune Global 500 are WPP clients, reflecting demand for our services among the world's leading companiesMost creative company
of the year at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2021$8.7bn
industry-leading net new billings(2020: $4.4bn)3
Building better futures for our communities
Helping to bring about change for the better in society
Leader in the
Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index
for the fourth year in a row100%
in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ+ communities(2020: 100%)
$9.3m
committed to inclusion programmes as part of our commitment to invest $30m over three yearsFinancial performance
In 2021, we grew at our fastest rate for over 20 years
£50.7bn
Billings3 (+14.4%4)(2020: £46.9bn)
£12.8bn
Revenue (+13.3%4)(2020: £12.0bn)
14.4%
Headline operating margin3(+1.5 pt)
(2020: 12.9%)
| ^ Denotes information subject to limited assurance by PricewaterhourseCoopers LLP ('PwC'). For PwC's 2021 Limited Assurance report and the ‘WPP Sustainability Reporting Criteria 2021’ for assured metrics, see our Sustainability Report 2021. |
| □ Independent limited assurance will be sought by WPP over our percentage electricity purchased from renewable sources. The assurance report will be made available on our website. |
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Key events of the year
2021 was a year of success and momentum for WPP
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Our strategic progress
It has been three years since we set out our strategy to return WPP to growth. Our top-line performance is ahead of plan, with like-for-like growth of 12.1% in 2021, which is 2.9% over 2019.
Our business model
We offer clients a comprehensive range of communications, experience, commerce and technology services. We bring together diverse capabilities from integrated and specialist agencies globally.
Investment case
The unrivalled combination of our deep client relationships, global scale and value-creating growth strategy underpins the attractiveness of our investment proposition.
The progress we have made in the last three years has been recognised by many of our largest clients, who have renewed and expanded their relationships with WPP and our agencies
Chairman’s Letter PDF 83 KB
We have the financial strength to invest in future growth through talent, capabilities and targeted M&A, while rewarding shareholders today
Chief Financial Officer’s Statement PDF 95 KB
Celebrating an industry legend
Jeremy Bullmore has been described by Campaign magazine as “quite possibly the most admired man in advertising”. He has contributed an essay to WPP’s Annual Report for over 20 years. Thank you, Jeremy.
Download tribute to Jeremy Bullmore on his retirement PDF 418 KB
Client work
