Marketing and communications firm WPP-Scangroup Plc has appointed Akua Owusu-Nartey as its new chief executive following the exit of Patricia Ithau in July 2025.
Ms Owusu-Nartey, who is also set to assume the role of CEO at the Group’s public relations subsidiary, Ogilvy Africa, has been the acting managing director for Scanad Kenya, a marketing arm of the business.
She has also held other previous roles within the Ogilvy network, including serving as the chief client officer, head of connected culture and regional managing director.
Her experience of over two decades has also seen her work for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Vodafone, Safaricom, and Coca-Cola.
Ms Owusu-Nartey’s immediate task will be turning around the business, which remained in the red through six months to June 2025, even as Scangroup’s half-year loss fell slightly to Sh208.3 million from Sh252.3 million on lower operating and administration expenses.
WPP Scangroup revenues have come under pressure from reduced spending by clients and the exit of some key customers, including Airtel Africa at the end of June and two other unnamed firms in 2024.
The exit of Airtel is expected to impact the group’s financial performance in the second half of the year.
Ms Owusu-Nartey holds an MBA from Hult International Business School.
“My focus will be on harnessing the incredible talent within our agencies to deliver unrivalled creativity and business impact for our clients,” she said.
“By deepening collaboration and accelerating innovation, we will solidify our position as the indispensable partners for growth in Africa.” Scangroup’s chief finance officer, Miriam Kaggwa, has been serving as the firm’s interim CEO.
