MAM
WPP appoints Lindsay Pattison as Global Chief People Officer
Mumbai: WPP has appointed Lindsay Pattison as the new global chief people officer, responsible for overseeing the company’s people strategy and operations. She takes over from Jennifer Remling, who is moving on to become the chief people officer at Warner Bros. Discovery.
Pattison currently serves as WPP’s global chief client officer, where she leads the relationships with the company’s major clients. She has held this role since 2018 and is in charge of developing and supporting the global client leaders for the company’s largest clients, which contribute significantly to WPP’s revenue. Before this, she held various leadership positions at WPP, GroupM, and the media agency Maxus.
Throughout her career, She has been a dedicated advocate for talent development and is committed to enhancing diversity at the highest levels of business. She has a strong track record of implementing initiatives to improve gender diversity, including the successful launch of ‘Walk The Talk’ during her time as CEO of Maxus. This program aimed to empower senior women to reach their full potential and was later expanded globally within WPP, benefitting over 3,000 female leaders worldwide.
She has also played a crucial role in WPP’s Diversity & Inclusion Council, supported the Elevate program for Black female talent, and served as the former President of WACL (Women in Advertising and Communications Leadership), where she mentored early-career talent across the industry.
In addition to her role at WPP, Pattison serves as an independent non-executive director for the Rugby World Cup (England 2025) Limited, overseeing the delivery of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025. She also holds positions on the board, including chairing the compensation committee, at Waldencast, a NASDAQ-listed global beauty and wellness company. Furthermore, she is involved with the advisory board of Planet First Partners, a fund focused on sustainable products and services, as well as Meta’s Global Client Council, and the UK EFFies advisory board, which is dedicated to driving effectiveness in marketing. Pattison also contributed to the WEF Global Agenda Council on the Future of Media, serving two terms and co-chairing for two years.
WPP CEO Mark Read commented, “Lindsay is extremely highly regarded across the industry as a leader who can identify and develop top talent and as a trusted partner to global clients. She has a deep understanding of our business, people and culture, and her strong commercial focus will help to drive our future people strategy.”
“Jennifer has been an excellent partner to me, the rest of the executive team and the leaders of our agencies, and I’d like to thank her for everything she’s contributed to WPP and our agencies over the last seven years,” he added.
Lindsay Pattison said, “Our business and our clients succeed when we have the best, most highly motivated talent. Our most valuable assets are our people, and creating the culture and environment where they can do the work of their lives is both what excites me about this new role, and what will deliver results for our clients.”
Pattison and Jennifer Remling will work closely together on the transition until the end of the year, taking up their new positions in January 2024. An announcement regarding Pattison’s successor will be made shortly.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
