VML has appointed Wunderman Thompson’s CEO Pip Hulbert as its first UK chief executive. She will take up her role when the new agency becomes operational in January 2024.

The move follows WPP’s decision last month to merge VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson into a separate new entity, VML – sparking a raft of structural changes.

Hulbert will now report into EMEA chief executive, Ewen Sturgeon, with reporting lines into her due to be confirmed at a later stage when the leadership team has been fleshed out.

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“Pip will make a fantastic leader of VML in the UK. With proven experience bringing businesses together and a unique understanding of the full marketing ecosystem and what brands need to succeed tomorrow, I have no doubt Pip and the team will go on to achieve great things,” Sturgeon said.

Other moves announced this week include the appointment of Justin Pahl as WPP’s global client lead, leaving his role as co-chief executive of VMLY&R London; with his former counterpart Michelle Whelan becoming VML’s UK chief client officer.

Hulbert added: “I’m super excited to lead VML in the UK. Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R have hugely complementary skillsets matched with brilliant talent. Together we’ll be unstoppable!”