Eric Salama stable after stabbing

According to reports, when Salama returned to his car after buying a coffee in Kew, West London on Sunday morning he found a man trying to steal his car. On confronting the assailant, Salama was stabbed in the chest before the suspect ran away.

Salama managed to return to the café where he received help and an ambulance was called. He is now recovering in hospital after suffering a punctured lung.

A statement from Kantar said: “We can confirm that Mr Salama was involved in the incident in Kew over the weekend. He is recovering well. Our thoughts are with him and his family. We kindly request that you respect the privacy of the family at this time.”

WPP, which owns Kantar, also issued a statement: “We are thankful that Eric is recovering well. Our thoughts are with him and his family, and he has the best wishes of everyone at WPP.”

Salama has been CEO of Kantar since 2002 and chairs its main board.

He was previously a main board director of WPP responsible for strategy and digital. He has also been managing director of the Henley Centre between 1986 and 1994 and a researcher and speechwriter to The Labour Party Foreign Affairs Team in the House of Commons between 1984 and 1986.

Police are investigating the crime but no arrests have yet been made.