McLachlan will oversee 12 agencies covering research, training and change management sectors as CEO, as well as driving new business growth and developing cross-agency collaboration.

Agencies within the group include Phuel, Human, Buchanan, Beyond Analysis, Kantar Millward Brown, Kantar TNS (Australia and NZ), Kantar Vermeer, Kantar Colmar Brunton (Australia and NZ), AMR and ORU.

McLachlan has been with WPP AUNZ (and previously STW Group) for more than 10 years, holding a range of senior finance and operations roles.  Before joining WPP, he worked as finance director at ACNielsen for 19 years, and at AGB McNair as CFO.

WPP AUNZ CEO, Mike Connaghan, said: “Our Data Investment Management Group is an important driver of growth within WPP AUNZ and is ready to move into its next phase of business and capability development.  Rob has a long and distinguished career in this sector and is perfectly placed to work closely with our agencies to ensure they expand and provide strong business solutions for our wide client base.”