Karen Blackett is a proven business leader with a track record in creating vibrant cultures, energising teams and consistently delivering business growth and success.
She is UK Country Manager for WPP, the world’s largest marketing services group, and Chairwoman of MediaCom, the largest media agency in the UK.
Karen champions diversity and equality of opportunity throughout the advertising industry.
In 2012 she launched the first ever Government backed Apprentice Scheme for the sector.
In June 2014, Karen received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday honours and in 2015 she was the first business woman to be named Britain’s Most Influential Black Person in the Power List.
In November 2018 Karen won the Inspirational Leader category at the Ethnicity Awards.
Karen is an external advisor to the UK Government Civil Service.
Karen was appointed Race Equality Business Champion by the UK Prime Minister in 2018 and she sits as a Non Exec for the UK Cabinet office.
Karen is on the board for Creative England, is a council member for the Creative Industries Federation, and Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth.
Karen became a Fellow of the IPA (FIPA) in their new years honours list.
