I will be cheering from the sidelines as I look forward to my next chapter: CVL Srinivas

WPP has officially announced that CVL Srinivas (Srini), Country Manager for India, will retire at the end of March 2026, bringing his 36-year career to a close. The announcement comes a day after the news was first reported by e4m.

Srini has been with WPP for the last 20 years and has led the company's India operations since 2017. During his leadership, India has become one of WPP's most important markets, growing into the company's fourth-largest market globally in terms of revenue.

Over the years, Srini played a key role in expanding WPP's presence in India by bringing together its agencies and specialist businesses under one integrated ecosystem. He also helped strengthen India as a major hub for global delivery, technology services, and skilled talent.

Speaking about Srini's retirement, Cindy Rose, CEO of WPP, said his leadership has been instrumental in making India one of WPP's strongest and fastest-growing markets. She added that he helped create a culture focused on collaboration, innovation, and future-ready capabilities while strengthening the company's technology and AI-driven services.

Reflecting on his journey, Srini said leading WPP India has been one of the biggest honours of his career. He expressed pride in what the 11,000-member team has achieved together and said India is well-positioned to continue playing a major role in WPP's global growth. He also wished the team success for the future as he prepares for the next chapter of his career.

During Srini's tenure, WPP achieved several important milestones in India. The company expanded its workforce to more than 11,000 employees across agencies, global delivery centres, and support functions. It also launched collaborative campuses in Mumbai, Gurgaon, and Chennai to encourage teamwork across businesses.

He also promoted integrated client solutions, helping WPP deliver end-to-end services to global and local clients. Under his leadership, initiatives such as the Creative Tech Experience Centres, WPP Stream India, and the WPP Ignite Awards were introduced to strengthen innovation and creativity.

Beyond business, Srini also supported social impact initiatives through the WPP India Foundation, which has benefited nearly 20,000 children. He also contributed to sustainability efforts as a founding member of Xynteo's Vikaasa coalition.

Before becoming WPP India Country Manager, Srini held several senior leadership positions, including CEO – South Asia at GroupM and CEO – Asia Pacific at Maxus. He was also part of the team that launched India's first media Agency of Record for HUL in 1995.

Throughout his career, Srini has served on the boards of organisations such as BARC, ABC, MRUC, and IAA, and has received several industry honours, including the IAA Media Agency Head of the Year Award, e4m's Most Influential Person recognition, the XLRI Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Media Ace Awards.

With Srini's retirement, WPP said its experienced leadership team in India will continue driving the company's growth and market leadership. The company added that details about its next India leadership will be announced at a later stage.