Baiju Shah departs Accenture Song to become Global Chief Executive Officer of AKQA

Baiju Shah has been appointed Global CEO of WPP’s design and innovation company, AKQA. He joins from Accenture Song, where he most recently served as Global Chief Strategy Officer.

Shah will lead AKQA at a time when clients look to turn rapid cultural change and AI into new opportunities. His deep expertise across creativity, strategy, technology, and AI will help brands capture this moment and guide AKQA into its next chapter. His appointment reinforces AKQA’s continued commitment to creative innovation on a global scale, with a focus on building products, services and experiences that inspire, drive growth and deliver lasting impact for people, brands and society.

Over 25 years, Shah has worked with leading global brands to boost customer relevance and business performance. As a co-founder of Accenture Song (formerly Accenture Interactive), the creative division of Accenture, he served as Global Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Managing Director, shaping its vision, growth strategy, acquisitions and offerings.

Most recently, he led Accenture Song’s transformation to infuse AI across its creative services, managing a global team focused on using emerging technologies to help clients innovate responsibly and stay ahead of change.

Shah also co-led Fjord, Accenture Song’s design and innovation consultancy, growing it into 35 global studios and establishing it as a leader in the field. He played a key role in acquiring several creative and design firms, broadening Accenture Song’s creative reach and innovation capabilities.

Shah is deeply committed to forging stronger connections between creativity and business growth, ensuring that AKQA’s ideas not only inspire but also deliver measurable impact. His arrival builds on recent leadership appointments across the Global Executive Committee, marking the next phase in AKQA’s collaboration, innovation, and ambition to strengthen partnerships with clients. A recent highlight of this momentum is AKQA’s 2025 Cannes Lions Grand Prix for Innovation, a recognition of the company’s pioneering creative work.

Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: “I am delighted to welcome Baiju Shah as the new leader for AKQA, and excited to see how he will redefine what a modern creative company can deliver for clients. Over the past two decades, he has demonstrated that he is one of our industry’s leaders in bringing strategy, creativity and emerging technology together. I know Baiju’s arrival will bring even further momentum to the business.

“I would also like to thank Stephan Pretorius for stepping in as AKQA’s Interim Chair over the past eight months. His steady leadership and deep understanding of AKQA’s business have been key in guiding the team through this important period of transition and in setting the stage for its future success.”

Shah said: “AKQA has always stood for iconic, creative innovation. I’m honoured to join a company whose heritage is not just history, but a foundation for what comes next.

“As AI and cultural shifts transform how business operates and how creativity itself is practised, we have a remarkable opportunity to create work that shapes how people live and connect. AKQA is uniquely equipped for this moment, combining craft, technology, and a deep understanding of people and culture.

“This is about more than creative output. It’s about achieving meaningful growth, setting new standards for innovation, and proving that imagination remains the most powerful force for building futures worth living in.

“I’m excited to lead AKQA into its next chapter, honouring our legacy while reimagining what an agency can be. AKQA will serve as a testing ground for the innovative and responsible use of AI, acting as pioneers for our clients, for WPP, and the future.”

Stephan Pretorius, Chief Technology Officer at WPP, said: “It’s been a privilege to act as Interim Chair of AKQA and work alongside such a talented and committed global team. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together during this period of transition. Baiju is the perfect choice to lead AKQA, and I look forward to supporting him as we continue to shape the future of our industry.”

With professionals across 30 countries, AKQA aims to set the global standard for design and innovation. Its groundbreaking work continues to be recognized at the highest level, including the 2025 Cannes Lions Grand Prix for Innovation, the 2024 Grand Prix for Design and Glass, and multiple accolades from Fast Company for Innovation by Design and World Changing Ideas.