Xu (pictured) has been CEO of GroupM China since 2014 and will manage the dual role from Shanghai, starting in May 2017.

Prior to joining GroupM, Xu was general manager, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan at Mondelez International.

According to Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of WPP, Xu’s role will have "a special emphasis on horizontality and ensuring the business is localised and more relevant to Chinese clients, partners and staff".

“China is WPP’s third largest market and has traditionally been a strong contributor to WPP’s overall growth," said Sorrell. "As such, it is important that we have some continuity in our senior management focusing on WPP’s growth agenda in the market.  

"I want to thank Bessie for the many years of commitment to WPP and I am sure many of our colleagues will continue to work with her as she pursues a career as an entrepreneur in China.”