WPP is a leading worldwide creative transformation company offering national and multinational clients a comprehensive range of communications, experience, commerce and technology services. The Company provides these services through a number of established global, multinational and national operating companies that are organised into three reportable segments. The largest reportable segment is Global Integrated Agencies, which accounted for approximately 78% of the Company’s revenues in 2020. The remaining 22% of our revenues were derived from the reportable segments of Public Relations and Specialist Agencies. Excluding associates, the Company currently employs 100,000 people in 111 countries.

The Company’s ordinary shares are admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and trade on the London Stock Exchange and American Depositary Shares (which are evidenced by American Depository Receipts (ADRs) or held in book-entry form) representing deposited ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). At 31 December 2020 the Company had a market capitalisation of approximately £9.803 billion.

The Company’s executive office is located at Sea Containers, 18 Upper Ground, London, United Kingdom, SE1 9GL, Tel:+44 (0)20 7282 4600 and its registered office is located at 13 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 1ES.

5

Table of Contents

A. History and Development of the Company

WPP plc was incorporated in Jersey on 25 October 2012 under the name WPP 2012 plc.

On 2 January 2013, under a scheme of arrangement between WPP 2012 Limited (formerly known as WPP plc), (Old WPP), the former holding company of the Group, and its share owners pursuant to Article 125 of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, and as sanctioned by the Royal Court of Jersey (the Jersey Court), a Jersey incorporated and United Kingdom tax resident company, WPP 2012 plc became the new parent company of the WPP Group and adopted the name WPP plc. Under the scheme of arrangement, all the issued shares in Old WPP were cancelled and the same number of new shares were issued to WPP plc in consideration for the allotment to share owners of one share in WPP plc for each share in Old WPP held on the record date, 31 December 2012. Citibank, N.A., depositary for the ADSs representing Old WPP shares, cancelled Old WPP ADSs held in book-entry uncertificated form in the direct registration system maintained by it and issued ADSs representing shares of WPP plc in book entry uncertificated form in the direct registration system maintained by it to the holders. Holders of certificated ADSs, or ADRs, of Old WPP were entitled to receive ADSs of WPP plc upon surrender of the Old WPP ADSs, or ADRs, to the Depositary. Each Old WPP ADS represented five shares of Old WPP and each WPP plc ADS represents five shares of WPP plc.

Pursuant to Rule 12g-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), WPP plc succeeded to Old WPP’s registration and periodic reporting obligations under the Exchange Act.

Old WPP was incorporated in Jersey on 12 September 2008 and became the holding company of the WPP Group on 19 November 2008 when the company now known as WPP 2008 Limited, the prior holding company of the WPP Group which was incorporated in England and Wales, completed a reorganisation of its capital and corporate structure. WPP 2008 Limited had become the holding company of the Group on 25 October 2005 when the company now known as WPP 2005 Limited, the original holding company of the WPP Group, completed a reorganisation of its capital and corporate structure. WPP 2005 Limited was incorporated and registered in England and Wales in 1971 and is a private limited company under the Companies Act 1985, and until 1985 operated as a manufacturer and distributor of wire and plastic products. In 1985, new investors acquired a significant interest in WPP and changed the strategic direction of the Company from being a wire and plastic products manufacturer and distributor to being a multinational communications services organisation. Since then, the Company has grown both organically and by the acquisition of companies, most significantly the acquisitions of J. Walter Thompson Group, Inc. (now known as Wunderman Thompson LLC) in 1987, The Ogilvy Group, Inc. (now known as The Ogilvy Group LLC) in 1989, Young & Rubicam Inc. (now known as Young & Rubicam LLC) in 2000, Tempus Group plc (Tempus) in 2001, Cordiant Communications Group plc (Cordiant) in 2003, Grey Global Group, LLC (Grey) in 2005, 24/7 Real Media Inc (now known as Xaxis LLC) in 2007, Taylor Nelson Sofres plc (TNS) in 2008, AKQA Holdings, Inc. (AKQA) in 2012, IBOPE Participações Ltda (IBOPE) in 2015, Triad Digital Media, LLC and the merger of most of the Group’s Australian and New Zealand assets with STW Communications Group Limited in Australia (re-named WPP AUNZ Limited) in 2016. During 2018, the Company focused on simplifying its organisation with the completion of the merger of VML and Y&R to create VMLY&R as well as the merger of Burson-Marsteller and Cohn & Wolfe to create Burson Cohn & Wolfe. The merger of Wunderman and J. Walter Thompson to create Wunderman Thompson began at the end of 2018 and was finalized in 2019. In July 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to sell 60% of the Kantar group to Bain Capital Private Equity. The transaction was completed with respect to the sale of approximately 90% of the Kantar group in December 2019. Completion of the sale of the remaining approximately 10% of the Kantar group occurred in 2020. In November 2020, the Company submitted a proposal to the Board of WPP AUNZ to pursue an acquisition of the remaining shares in WPP AUNZ. WPP currently holds a stake of approximately 61.5% of the share capital of WPP AUNZ, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:WPP). The proposed acquisition is in line with WPP’s global strategy of simplifying its structure and will move WPP to 100% ownership and control of its Australian and New Zealand operations. The proposal of A$0.70 per share in cash, which was accepted by WPP AUNZ in December 2020 and approved by shareholders of WPP AUNZ in April 2021, is subject to customary conditions (including regulatory approvals) and, if implemented, is expected to be completed in 2021.

6

Table of Contents

The Company received £13.3 million, £1,917.0 million and £440.3 million related to acquisitions and disposals in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, including proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries, payments in respect of earnout payments resulting from acquisitions in prior years and net of cash and cash equivalents disposed. For the same periods, cash spent on purchases of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets was £272.7 million, £394.1 million and £375.2 million, respectively, and cash spent on share repurchases and buybacks was £290.2 million, £43.8 million and £207.1 million, respectively.

The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. In accordance with these requirements, the Company files reports and other information with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The Company’s Form 20-F is also available on the Company’s website, www.wpp.com.

B. Business Overview

Introduction

Certain Non-GAAP measures included in this business overview and in the operating and financial review and prospects have been derived from amounts calculated in accordance with IFRS but are not themselves IFRS measures. They should not be viewed in isolation as alternatives to the equivalent IFRS measure, rather they should be read in conjunction with the equivalent IFRS measure. These include constant currency, pro-forma (‘like-for-like’), headline operating profit, headline PBIT (Profit Before Interest and Taxation), headline PBT (Profit Before Taxation), billings and estimated net new business/billings, free cash flow and net debt and average net debt, which we define, explain the use of and reconcile to the nearest IFRS measure on pages 25 to 29.

Management believes that these measures are both useful and necessary to present herein because they are used by management for internal performance analyses; the presentation of these measures facilitates comparability with other companies, although management’s measures may not be calculated in the same way as similarly titled measures reported by other companies; and these measures are useful in connection with discussions with the investment community.

The Company is a leading worldwide creative transformation organisation offering national and multinational clients a comprehensive range of communications, experience, commerce and technology services.

A key element of our strategy is to align our technology capabilities more closely with our creative expertise, and to simplify WPP through the creation of fewer, stronger, integrated agencies. In 2020, we announced we would bring AKQA and Grey together within AKQA Group, and move Geometry into VMLY&R to create VMLY&R Commerce, a new end-to-end creative commerce agency. These moves follow the creation of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R in prior years. In 2020 we also announced changes within our public relations business, bringing together three of our agencies to form Finsbury Glover Hering, a leading global strategic communications and public affairs firm.

Global Integrated Agencies

The principal functions of integrated agencies are the planning and creation of marketing, branding campaigns, design and production of advertisements across all media, and media buying services including strategy & business development, media investment, data & technology and content. In 2020, WPP’s integrated agency networks included Ogilvy, VMLY&R, Wunderman Thompson, Grey, GroupM and Hogarth. Following the alignment of AKQA and Grey and the creation of VMLY&R Commerce, from January 2021 AKQA and VMLY&R Commerce will be reported within Global Integrated Agencies.

7

Table of Contents

Public Relations

WPP’s public relations companies advise clients who are seeking to communicate with a range of stakeholders from consumers to governments and the business and financial communities. They include Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW), Hill+Knowlton Strategies, as well as Finsbury Glover Hering.

Specialist Agencies

Our specialist agencies provide services by region or type. In 2020, they included AKQA, GTB, Landor & Fitch and Superunion. From January 2021, AKQA will be reported within Global Integrated Agencies.

The following tables show, for the last three fiscal years, reported revenue and revenue less pass-through costs from continuing operations attributable to each reportable segment in which the Company operates.

The following tables show, for the last three fiscal years, reported revenue and revenue less pass-through costs from continuing operations attributable to each geographic area in which the Company operates and demonstrates the Company’s regional diversity.

8

Table of Contents

WPP Head Office

The central functions of WPP, with principal offices in London and New York, are to develop the strategy of the Company, coordinate the provision of services to cross-Company clients, perform a range of cross-Company functions in areas such as new business, talent recruitment and development, training, IT, finance, audit, legal affairs, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), property, sustainability, investor relations and communications, promote best practice in areas such as our agencies’ approach to diversity and inclusion, drive operating efficiencies and monitor the financial performance of WPP’s operating companies.

Our strategy

It has been two years since we set out our strategy to return WPP to growth. We have made significant progress, with stronger agency brands, new leadership, a simpler structure and a strong balance sheet. The results were evident in our industry-leading new business performance in 2020.

The events of 2020 have only accelerated the structural changes in our industry, from the expansion of digital channels to growing demand for ecommerce solutions. The actions that we have taken have positioned us well, and we are already working with 76 of our top 100 clients on ecommerce. There are significant new growth opportunities for WPP as clients demand simple, integrated solutions that combine creativity with technology and data expertise. Clients need trusted partners more than ever to help them transform and succeed.

In December 2020, we held a Capital Markets Day to provide an update on progress and to outline our plans to accelerate our growth. We aim to return our communications business to sustainable growth and invest further in the high-growth areas of commerce, experience and technology. A new transformation programme will make us more effective and efficient as we share expertise across a simpler company of stronger agency brands. We are targeting approximately £600 million of cost savings by 2025, of which £400 million will be used to fund investment in the capabilities and technology that will drive future growth for our people, our clients, our agencies, and our shareholders.

The five elements of our corporate strategy are:

9

Table of Contents

Sustainability

We have set a new sustainability strategy that directs us to use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. It sets out the action we are taking to make sure we are the employer of choice for all people – a company where a sense of belonging is felt by everyone, and our differences are celebrated. And it shows how we are tackling the greatest environmental challenges we face, committing to reach net zero carbon emissions across our value chain by 2030.

We know our clients also recognise these challenges and are looking for support and advice. That is why we are increasing our skills and capacity to assist them to make the transition to a sustainable and inclusive world. As an employer of 100,000 people in more than 100 countries, we are using our unique convening power and global partnerships to effect positive change for society as a whole. That is why we are proud to partner with the United Nations, especially the World Health Organization and UN Women, to provide our skills in creativity, communications, data and technology to support them as they support the world.

There has never been a better time to seize the opportunities before us. We are determined to do our very best to realise this potential.

Our sustainability strategy is aligned to all five elements of our corporate strategy:

Sustainability at the heart of our offer for clients: A growing number of clients are embracing inclusion, diversity and sustainability and looking to articulate the purpose of their brands. They look for partners who share their sustainability values and aspirations. Our commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices helps us to broaden and deepen these partnerships, and to meet the growing expectations and sustainability requirements in client procurement processes.

Social investment: Our pro bono work can make a significant difference to charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), enabling our partners to raise awareness and funds, recruit members, and achieve campaign objectives. Pro bono work benefits our business too, providing rewarding creative opportunities for our people that often result in award-winning campaigns that raise the profile of our companies.

Diverse, equitable and inclusive teams: Diversity and difference powers creativity. We foster an inclusive culture across WPP: one that is equitable, tolerant and respectful of diverse thoughts and individual expression. We want all of our people to feel valued and able to fulfil their potential, regardless of background, lived experience, sex, gender, race and ethnicity, thinking style, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, family status and so much more.

Privacy and data ethics: Data – including consumer data – can play an essential role in our work for clients. Data security and privacy are increasingly high-profile topics for regulators, consumers and our clients. We have a responsibility to look after this data carefully, to collect data only when needed and with consent where required, and to store and transfer data securely.

Greener office space: Our work to simplify our structure and consolidate our office space is driving a positive impact on our energy use and carbon footprint. We continue to move employees into Campuses, closing multiple smaller sites and replacing them with fewer, larger, more environmentally friendly buildings that offer modern, world-class workspaces.

10

Table of Contents

Shared values across our business and supply chain: Strong employment policies, investment in skills and inclusive working practices help us recruit, motivate and develop the talented people we need to serve our clients in all disciplines across our locations. Selecting suppliers and partners who adopt standards consistent with our own can reduce costs, improve efficiency and protect our reputation.

Clients

People

Environment

Social investment

Clients

The Group works with 325 of the Fortune Global 500, all 30 of the Dow Jones 30, 62 of the NASDAQ 100, and 61 of the FTSE 100.

11

Table of Contents

The Company’s 10 largest clients accounted for 16% of the Company’s revenues in the year ended 31 December 2020. No client of the Company represented more than 5% of the Company’s aggregate revenues in 2020. The Group’s companies have maintained long-standing relationships with many of their clients, with an average length of relationship for the top 10 clients of approximately 50 years.

Government Regulation

From time to time, governments, government agencies and industry self-regulatory bodies in the United States, European Union and other countries in which the Company operates have adopted statutes, regulations, and rulings that directly or indirectly affect the form, content, and scheduling of advertising, public relations and public affairs, and market research, or otherwise limit the scope of the activities of the Company and its clients. Some of the foregoing relate to privacy and data protection and general considerations such as truthfulness, substantiation and interpretation of claims made, comparative advertising, relative responsibilities of clients and advertising, public relations and public affairs firms, and registration of public relations and public affairs firms’ representation of foreign governments.

There has been a trend towards expansion of specific rules, prohibitions, media restrictions, labeling disclosures and warning requirements with respect to advertising for certain products, such as over-the-counter drugs and pharmaceuticals, cigarettes, food and certain alcoholic beverages, and to certain groups, such as children. Though the Company does not expect any existing or proposed regulations to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, the Company is unable to estimate the effect on its future operations of the application of existing statutes or regulations or the extent or nature of future regulatory action.

IT

We have established the WPP Risk Sub-committee focusing on data privacy, security and ethics. Co-chaired by WPP’s Chief Privacy Officer and Chief Information Officer, the Sub-committee consists of representation from across the security, technology and data leadership. The Sub-committee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the Group’s approach to regulatory and legal compliance, as well as monitoring data privacy, ethics and security risk. This Sub-committee is pivotal in our approach to our own and our clients’ data, as well as contributing to our overall strategy.

2020 saw the first full-increment version of the WPP Data Privacy & Security Charter. Bringing together our related policies, the Charter communicates our approach to data, setting out core principles for responsible data management through our Data Code of Conduct, our technology, privacy and social media policies, and our security standards (based on ISO 27001).

In 2019, we launched the revised data protection and privacy “Safer Data” training as part of the relaunch of the WPP How We Behave training. Completed by all staff, the new training completely overhauls the content and delivery. This training is augmented by subject-focused training, where required, covering specific regulations, regional laws or activities undertaken by our agencies.

Our annual Data Health Checker provides us with insight into how data is used, stored and transferred and helps to identify any parts of the business that need further support on data practices. The results show us that the majority of our agencies continue to have mitigation measures that match or exceed their level of privacy risk, with the average risk score being 1.6 out of five, where five is the maximum score possible and indicates maximum risk.

C. Organizational Structure

The Company’s business comprises the provision of creative transformation services on a national, multinational and global basis. It operates in 111 countries (including associates). For a list of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings and their country of incorporation see Exhibit 8.1 to this Form 20-F.

12

Table of Contents

D. Property, Plant and Equipment

The majority of the Company’s properties are leased, although certain properties which are used mainly for office space are owned. Owned properties are in Latin America (principally in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico), Asia (India and China) and in Europe (Spain and UK). Principal leased properties, which include office space at the following locations:

The Company considers its properties, owned or leased, to be in good condition and generally suitable and adequate for the purposes for which they are used. At 31 December 2020, the fixed asset value (cost less depreciation) representing land, freehold buildings and leasehold buildings as reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements was £613.7 million.

In 2020, we added three new Campuses in Chicago, Hong Kong and Rome, taking the total to 20. Before the end of 2021 we expect to open a further 11 sites. Under our simplification strategy, we expect to locate 85% of our people in Campuses by 2025, compared to 33% today, and a reduction in our office space requirements of between 15% and 20%.

See note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for a schedule by years of lease payments as at 31 December 2020.