Credit: Mick Haupt via Unsplash https://unsplash.com/@rocinante_11
WPP, with the largest contribution to revenue coming from the US, has dropped the words “diversity, equity and inclusion” from its latest annual report.
CEO Mark Read wrote about operating in a “complex” world and the need to meet “legal requirements” in different markets.
The new Trump administration has ended DEI activities within the federal government and big corporates have been dropping policies in response.
WPP’s previous annual report used DEI 20 times. This time, on the 2024 report, the word “diversity” appears 25 times but not DEI.
“A pressing question for brands and organisations is whether to engage on social issues in a more contested public arena, and how to navigate the expectations of different audiences with competing views on sensitive topics,” Read said.
“With political events much has changed over the last year. Some things, though, have not changed.
“At WPP our aim has always been to foster a culture of respect for one another in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
“We also believe a workforce that reflects the world around us, and the consumers our clients want to reach, helps us do the best work and is good for business.
“Like all companies with operations in the United States, we are monitoring developments and keeping any implications for our business under ongoing review. We will continue to meet legal requirements in all our markets.”
In a section titles Diversity, the annual report says: "We believe that our make-up as a company should reflect the world around us, and the consumers our clients aim to reach, because it helps us do the best work and is good for business."
WPP reported £825 million headline operating profit from North America in 2024, almost half the £1.707 billion total. Revenue from the US was £5.203 billion and headline operating £766 million.
The company, in its annual report, does report on gender diversity. In 2024, 54% of senior managers were women.
Accenture has dropped its diversity and inclusion goals, which has reportedly caused problems for Accenture Song and Droga5 when pitching to UK government entities.
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