Executive Performance Share Awards

WPP PLC

13 March 2024

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                           13 March 2024

WPP plc ("WPP")

Executive Performance Share Awards

On 12 March 2024, awards were made to the 2024 participants which comprise WPP's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer as set out in the table below, and other select senior executives within the Group's operating companies. 

Executive Director	Number of shares awarded
Mark Read	617,709
Joanne Wilson	312,588
Andrew Scott	306,251

Awards take the form of nil-cost options or conditional awards of performance shares, which are exercisable over WPP shares or ADRs and the amounts stated represent the maximum possible opportunity. 

The extent to which awards become exercisable or vest in 2027 will depend on WPP's performance over the three-year performance period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026. 

Awards are subject to three equally weighted performance measures: average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), cumulative Adjusted Free Cash Flow (AFCF), and relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR).  Achieving threshold performance will result in a vesting opportunity of 20% of the award. The vesting opportunity will increase on a sliding scale basis to 100% of the award for maximum performance. 

Notes

1)   These awards were made in accordance with the terms of the 2023 Directors' Compensation Policy as approved by shareholders on 17 May 2023

2)   To the extent that each element of a conditional award does not vest at the end of the three- year performance period it will lapse

3)   Additional shares will be awarded at vesting in lieu of dividends on the shares that vest

4)   Awards to Executive Directors are subject to an additional two-year post-vesting holding period

1.	Details of PDMR/person closely associated with them ('PCA')
a)	Name	Mark Read
b)	Position/status	Chief Executive Officer
c)	Initial notification/ amendment	Initial notification
2.	Details of the issuer
a)	Full name of the entity	WPP plc
b)	Legal Entity Identifier code	549300LSGBXPYHXGDT93
3.	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument	Ordinary shares of 10 pence each ('Ordinary Shares') ISIN: JE00B8KF9B49
b)	Nature of the transaction	Grant of award over WPP plc ordinary shares under the WPP plc Executive Performance Share Plan
c)	Price(s) and volume(s) (Number of WPP ordinary shares or WPP ADRs sold or purchased and price per share/ADR)	Price(s) Volume(s) Nil cost option 617,709
d)	Aggregated information -     Aggregated number -     Aggregated Price -     Total	N/A (single transaction)
e)	Date of the transaction	11 March 2024
f)	Place of the transaction	London Stock Exchange (XLON)

1.	Details of PDMR/person closely associated with them ('PCA')
a)	Name	Joanne Wilson
b)	Position/status	Chief Financial Officer
c)	Initial notification/ amendment	Initial notification
2.	Details of the issuer
a)	Full name of the entity	WPP plc
b)	Legal Entity Identifier code	549300LSGBXPYHXGDT93
3.	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument	Ordinary shares of 10 pence each ('Ordinary Shares') ISIN: JE00B8KF9B49
b)	Nature of the transaction	Grant of award over WPP plc ordinary shares under the WPP plc Executive Performance Share Plan
c)	Price(s) and volume(s) (Number of WPP ordinary shares or WPP ADRs sold or purchased and price per share/ADR)	Price(s) Volume(s) Nil cost option 312,588
d)	Aggregated information -     Aggregated number -     Aggregated Price -     Total	N/A (single transaction)
e)	Date of the transaction	11 March 2024
f)	Place of the transaction	London Stock Exchange (XLON)

1.	Details of PDMR/person closely associated with them ('PCA')
a)	Name	Andrew Scott
b)	Position/status	Chief Operating Officer
c)	Initial notification/ amendment	Initial notification
2.	Details of the issuer
a)	Full name of the entity	WPP plc
b)	Legal Entity Identifier code	549300LSGBXPYHXGDT93
3.	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument	Ordinary shares of 10 pence each ('Ordinary Shares') ISIN: JE00B8KF9B49
b)	Nature of the transaction	Grant of award over WPP plc ordinary shares under the WPP plc Executive Performance Share Plan
c)	Price(s) and volume(s) (Number of WPP ordinary shares or WPP ADRs sold or purchased and price per share/ADR)	Price(s) Volume(s) Nil cost option 306,251
d)	Aggregated information -     Aggregated number -     Aggregated Price -     Total	N/A (single transaction)
e)	Date of the transaction	11 March 2024
f)	Place of the transaction	London Stock Exchange (XLON)

This notice is given in fulfilment of the obligation under Article 19 of the Market Abuse Regulation.

Balbir Kelly-Bisla

Group Company Secretary

Contact for further information:

Chris Wade, WPP

[phone]

About WPP

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet clients and communities. For more information, visit www.wpp.com.

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