NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 10-WPP Scangroup has announced the appointment of Patricia Ithau as Chief Executive Officer.
Ithau comes in to head Scangroup following the resignation of Bharat Thakrar as CEO and board member in March 2021.
She is a highly accomplished business and marketing leader who brings more than 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles overseeing the expansion of major consumer brands in Eastern Africa at companies including Unilever, East African Breweries Ltd and L’Oréal.
“I’m so excited by the opportunity to lead a company that prides itself on delivering outstanding work and creative innovation for clients. The company provides brands not only with unparalleled access to regional expertise, consumer insight and talent, but also the global reach they need to grow via the wider WPP network,” said Ithau.
She also holds a number of board positions at organisations such as ABSA Bank Kenya PLC, TradeMark East Africa Ltd, Jambojet Ltd, and British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and was previously a non-executive director on the board of WPP Scangroup from 2017 to 2020.
In 2020, Ithau was awarded a Kenyan Head of State Commendation (HSC) – Civilian Division for her work in supporting enterprise development in the country.
She holds an MBA in Strategic Management from the United States International University – Africa, and a B Com from the University of Nairobi.
“Patricia is an inspirational business leader in Kenya and beyond, and I’m delighted to welcome her to WPP Scangroup,” said Richard Omwela, Chairman of WPP Scangroup.