The founder and CEO of WPP-owned digital design and communications agency AKQA Group Ajaz Ahmed has resigned from his role after 30 years, with no successor yet announced.

During the transition, AKQA Group will be led by the AKQA and Grey leadership teams, with WPP chief technology officer Stephen Pretorius overseeing the business in the role of interim chair.

Ahmed founded AKQA Group in 1994 and has been its CEO since. The agency was acquired by WPP in 2012, and has operated alongside sister agency Grey since 2020.

Ajaz will continue in his roles on the board of the Elton John AIDS foundation, Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Unite and Sir Lewis Hamilton’s Mission 44.

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Speaking about his resignation Ahmed said: “Serving AKQA’s team, clients and values over the past 30 years has been the greatest honour of my 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. I’m tremendously energised about the adventures ahead and the opportunity to do something new.”

WPP CEO Mark Read added: “Under Ajaz’s leadership AKQA has become one of the world’s most recognised and highly regarded agencies. 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.”