Karen Blackett OBE, WPP
Karen Blackett OBE
former president
WPP

Karen 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 President for WPP, the world’s largest marketing services group and responsible for driving growth in WPP’s second largest market of 13,000 people.

Former GroupM UK CEO, Karen managed the business at a critical time during the COVID global pandemic and the subsequent impact of the killing of George Floyd.

In June 2014, Karen received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday honours and topped the Power List, being the first businesswoman to come in at number 1. In November 2022 Karen received Power List’s Outstanding Contribution Award in recognition of her exceptional achievements. In June 2023 Karen was appointed NED for Diageo (FTSE Top 100 company) and was a former NED of The Cabinet Office. In October 2023, Karen is honoured by INvolve – The Inclusion People’s List and comes in at #1 for the Top 100 Women Executives.

Karen is a single mum of a beautiful 13-year-old boy, Isaac. The daughter of 2 Bajan parents, Karen regularly returns to her spiritual "home" Barbados and spends her weekends enjoying the outdoors and walking her two adorable dogs Bob Marley and Missy Elliot.

My Sessions
Opening keynote: How to create a culture where people can win and succeed
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Keynote Theatre 1
Session topics
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