Ajaz Ahmed, founder of the pioneering digital agency AKQA and most recently CEO of the AKQA Group at WPP, has resigned, the company confirmed today.  The search for a successor is ongoing.   

In the interim, AKQA Group will be led by the existing leadership team at AKQA and Grey, with WPP chief technology officer Stephan Pretorius overseeing the business in the role of interim chair.   

Ahmed founded AKQA in 1994 and has been its CEO for 30 years. WPP acquired the agency in 2012, and since 2020, it has operated alongside sibling agency Grey within the AKQA Group.   

AKQA has built a reputation as a pioneering innovation agency and is known for delivering cutting-edge, technology-enabled products and services to clients receiving widespread global recognition for creative excellence and breakthrough work.   

“Serving AKQA’s team, clients and values over the past 30 years has been the greatest honor of my life,” Ahmed stated. “Founding AKQA at a young age was the start of an incredible journey, and if destiny allows, I look forward to another 30 years of meaningful work and making a difference. I’m tremendously energized about the adventures ahead and the opportunity to do something new.”  

Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: “Under Ajaz’s leadership AKQA has become one of the world’s most recognized and highly regarded agencies. It’s a brilliant business with many extremely talented people around the world. With its exceptional global team, capabilities and expertise, AKQA is well-positioned for continued success and we thank Ajaz for his vision and contribution to the business.”  

Ahmed continues to serve on the boards of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Virgin Unite founded by Sir Richard Branson and Mission 44 founded by Sir Lewis Hamilton. In 2022, he won the Spear’s Impact Award recognizing his charitable giving and philanthropy.