Board Changes

M&C Saatchi PLC

09 March 2026

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("MAR"), AND IS DISCLOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 17 OF MAR.

9 March 2026                                                             

M&C SAATCHI PLC

(the "Company" or "M&C Saatchi")

Board Changes

The Company announces the following changes to its Board of Directors (the "Board").

Chief Executive Officer

The Board announces that by mutual agreement Zaid Al-Qassab is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer and as a Board Director from 31 March 2026. The Board intends to initiate a comprehensive formal search process to identify a new Chief Executive Officer and will update the market as and when appropriate.

Until such time as a new Chief Executive Officer is appointed, Dame Heather Rabbatts, currently Non-Executive Chair, will assume the role of Executive Chair on an interim basis with a focus on the delivery of the Company's growth strategy, supporting the Company's wider senior leadership team and demonstrating the significant embedded shareholder value in the Company. An operating board will be in place, comprised of members of the Company's senior leadership team and headed by Dame Heather, during this period.

Zaid has been instrumental in leading the Company through its transformation and business integration, from over forty independent businesses to five connected regions benefitting from end-to-end marketing services offerings. Zaid also undertook the Company's first M&A transactions in seven years, successfully integrating two acquired businesses as well as launching and uniting the Company behind its business proposition, Cultural Power.

Board appointments

The Board remains focused on delivering shareholder value. Through the success of our transformation programme and improvements in our operating model, we remain confident in medium term growth across all profit indicators. However, there is further work to do to maximise shareholder value. To support this, the Company is pleased to announce the appointment to the Board of Vinodka "Vin" Murria as both Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chair and Nicholas Shott as an independent Non-Executive Director, effective immediately.

As a substantial and long-term shareholder and previous director of the Company, Vin brings extensive experience in the media, digital and technology sector and deep understanding of the Company. Vin is currently non-executive director at Bunzl plc, the FTSE 100 international distribution and services group, Chair of AdvancedAdvT Limited ("AdvT"), the international software solutions provider, and was previously also a non-executive director of Softcat plc, the FTSE 250 provider of technology solutions and services.

Nicholas has more than 30 years' experience in the financial services sector, spending much of his career at Lazard where he held senior roles including Vice Chairman of European Investment Banking, Head of UK Investment Banking, and member of the London Management Board. Having begun his career in media, he brings extensive finance expertise and has served in multiple non‑executive and advisory positions across listed financial services companies, government bodies, and media organisations. Nicholas is Chair of Conduit Holdings, the reinsurance business, and previously served for nine years as a non-executive director at Phoenix Group Holdings, the FTSE 100 savings and retirement business.

Dame Heather Rabbatts, Non-Executive Chair, commented:

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Zaid for his contribution during his time at M&C Saatchi. He leaves the Company with a strong and more integrated operating model, creating Cultural Power for our clients by combining world-leading creativity, global reach, and specialist capabilities. We wish him all the best for the future.

"In my role as interim Executive Chair, I will be focused on driving our strategy and shareholder value, and supporting our talented team to continue to deliver best-in-class solutions for our clients through our diverse portfolio of specialisms.

"I am delighted to welcome Vin and Nicholas to the Board. They both bring a wealth and breadth of experience advising listed companies, and will reinforce the Board's existing expertise and strategic insight."

Vin Murria, incoming Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chair, commented:

"As a long-term shareholder, I am looking forward to working with Heather and the Board to support the delivery of the Company's strategy and to drive the business forward. M&C Saatchi is a special business that has significant exposure to high-growth sectors through its diverse portfolio of specialisms with huge potential for value creation across all its constituent parts."

Nicholas Shott, incoming Non-Executive Director, commented:

"I am delighted to be joining the Board of M&C Saatchi, one of the most respected names in the marketing services industry. I look forward to contributing my experience to its continued long-term success and capitalising on the significant opportunities available to the Company."

Rule 2.8 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code")

As at 6 March 2026, Vin Murria held 14,437,452 ordinary shares in the Company (11.8% of the Company's issued share capital), Vin Murria is also Executive Chair and a substantial shareholder in AdvT. AdvT holds 12,000,000 ordinary shares in the Company (9.8% of the Company's issued share capital).

In connection with Vin Murria's appointment to the Board, AdvT has confirmed it does not intend to make an offer for M&C Saatchi.  Accordingly, except with the consent of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, AdvT and any person acting in concert with AdvT (including Vin Murria who is considered as a person acting in concert with AdvT), is bound by the restrictions under Rule 2.8 of the Code.

Directorships - Disclosures required under Schedule 2 (g)

In accordance with schedule 2 (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies, Nicholas Roland Shott (aged 74 years) holds or has held the following directorships in the last five years:

Current	Past 5 Years
28 Smith Street Limited	Lazard & Co. Limited
Deverill Consultancy Limited	Lazard & Co. Services Limited
Conduit Holdings Limited	Lazard & Co. Holdings Limited
	Standard Life Plc

Nicholas Shott holds no ordinary shares within the Company.

In accordance with schedule 2 (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies, Vinodka Murria (aged 63 years) holds or has held the following directorships in the last five years:

Commercial companies (Current)	Commercial companies (Past 5 Years)
Advanced ADVT Limited (UK)	M&C Saatchi PLC
Advanced ADVT Limited (British Virgin Islands)	Pythagoras Communications Holdings Limited
ADV Holding Group Limited	Softcat Plc (Australia)
ADV Finance Holding Limited	Softcat Plc (UK)
ADV People Holding Limited
Bunzl Plc
Investment entities (Current)	Investment entities (Past 5 years)
XCD HR Limited	ADV Data Holding Limited
Mac I (BVI) Limited (UK)	Celadon Pharmaceuticals Limited
Mac I (BVI) Limited (British Virgin Islands)	Pythagoras Communications Limited
MAC1 Pty Ltd (Australia)	SVB UK Ltd (formerly HSBC Innovation Bank Limited)
Marwyn Acquisition Company Limited	Taina Technology Limited
PS Foundation	Transform Topco Limited
VM.AV Corporate Services Ltd.	VMSB Investment Capital Group Ltd
VMSB Upper Court (Property) Ltd	VMSB Surrey Properties Ltd
	VMSB Upper Court (Development) Ltd

Vinodka Murria personally holds 14,437,452 shares (11.8%) of the Company, therefore representing a substantial shareholder. Vin Murria is also the executive Chair and a substantial shareholder of AdvT which is interested in 12,000,000 shares (9.8%) of the Company.

There are no further disclosures to be made under Schedule 2 (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

FURTHER INFORMATION

M&C Saatchi	[phone]
Dame Heather Rabbatts, Non-Executive Chair
Simon Fuller, Chief Financial Officer
Thomas Fahey, Head of Investor Relations
Headland Consultancy	[phone]
Rob Walker, Charlie Twigg, James Waters [e-mail]
Panmure Liberum - Nominated adviser and Joint broker	[phone]
Edward Mansfield, Will King, Gaya Bhatt
Deutsche Numis - Joint broker	[phone]
Nick Westlake, Iqra Amin

About M&C Saatchi
M&C Saatchi is a creative solutions company with specialist expertise and creativity in helping its clients grow by maximising the reach and potential of their brands. It does this through its regional-first operating model with five core specialisms - Advertising, Issues, Passions, Consulting and Media - which it leverages in an integrated go-to-market approach. It has significant global reach, with major hubs in the UK, Europe, Middle East, APAC and the Americas and is supported by global shared services.  M&C Saatchi is headquartered in London and listed on the FTSE AIM index of the London Stock Exchange.

Inside Information

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) no. 596/2014 (as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018). On the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for making this announcement is Victoria Clarke.

 

END