AKQA Group CEO Ajaz Ahmed has resigned 30 years after founding the WPP-owned agency.
In the interim, AKQA will be led operationally by the existing leadership team at AKQA and Grey, with WPP chief technology officer Stephan Pretorius overseeing the business.
A further announcement regarding Ahmed's successor will be made in due course.
Ahmed founded AKQA in 1994 and has been its CEO for 30 years. WPP acquired AKQA in 2012, and since 2020, it has operated alongside sister agency Grey within the AKQA Group.
AKQA, known for delivering cutting-edge, technology-enabled products and services to many leading brands and organisations, has received widespread global recognition for its creative work.
Under Ahmed's leadership, AKQA has won Agency of the Year awards 83 times as well as 11 Most Loved Workplace awards.
Ahmed said serving AKQA’s team, clients and values over the past 30 years has been the greatest honour of his life.
"Founding AKQA at a young age was the start of an incredible journey, and if destiny allows, I look forward to another 30 years of meaningful work and making a difference," he said.
"I’m tremendously energised about the adventures ahead and the opportunity to do something new."
WPP CEO Mark Read said AKQA has become one of the most recognised and highly regarded agencies under Ahmed's leadership.
"It’s a brilliant business with many extremely talented people around the world. With its exceptional global team, capabilities and expertise, AKQA is well-positioned for continued success and we thank Ajaz for his vision and contribution to the business," he said.
Ahmed, who won the Spear’s Impact Award recognising his charitable giving and philanthropy in 2022, continues to serve on the boards of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Virgin Unite founded by Sir Richard Branson and Mission 44 founded by Sir Lewis Hamilton.
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