Finance
M&C saatchi's CEO zaid Al-Qassab to step down
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 9, 2026
1 min readLast updated: March 9, 2026
Quick Summary
M&C Saatchi CEO Zaid Al‑Qassab, who took the helm in May 2024, will step down on March 31; Non‑Executive Chair Heather Rabbatts will assume the role of interim executive chair, amid prior cost‑cutting and strategic transformation efforts.
British ad firm M&C Saatchi's CEO Zaid Al-Qassab to step down
Leadership Changes and Company Developments at M&C Saatchi
Zaid Al-Qassab's Tenure and Departure
March 9 (Reuters) - British advertising group M&C Saatchi said on Monday that its Chief Executive, Zaid Al-Qassab, will step down, effective March 31, after less than two years in the role.
Background and Achievements
Al-Qassab, formerly the chief marketing officer at Channel 4, was appointed in 2024. He played a significant role in restructuring the business, reducing over 40 individual businesses to five integrated regions and completing its first merger-and-acquisition deals in seven years.
Industry Context
Challenges Facing Advertising Groups
Advertising groups globally have been hit by weak client spending and delayed contract signings as companies prioritise investments such as artificial intelligence amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
Interim Leadership and Future Plans
Appointment of Interim Executive Chair
The company also appointed Non-Executive Chair Heather Rabbatts as interim executive chair until a new CEO is named, and said it would launch a formal search process.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Nithyashree R B in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Rashmi Aich)
Key Takeaways
- •Zaid Al‑Qassab, appointed Global CEO in May 2024, is stepping down after under two years in charge (lse.co.uk).
- •Heather Rabbatts, a seasoned leader with broad public and media board experience, becomes interim executive chair (en.wikipedia.org).
- •The change follows a period of restructuring: M&C Saatchi implemented cost‑savings, saw a 7% dip in 2025 revenue, but secured profitable growth and strengthened its financial position (morningstar.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about M&C Saatchi's CEO Zaid Al-Qassab to step down
1Who is stepping down as CEO of M&C Saatchi?
Zaid Al-Qassab is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer of M&C Saatchi.
2When will Zaid Al-Qassab step down as CEO?
Zaid Al-Qassab will step down from the CEO position effective March 31.
3Who will take over at M&C Saatchi after the CEO's resignation?
Non-Executive Chair Heather Rabbatts will become interim executive chair.
4Where is M&C Saatchi based?
M&C Saatchi is a British advertising group headquartered in London, UK.
