WPP Scangroup Plc has announced a new recruitment. Akua Brayie Owusu-Nartey (above) will succeed Patricia Ithau as the new WPP Scangroup CEO. The Nairobi bourse listed company announced the appointment of Akua Brayie Owusu-Nartey as the new Group Chief Executive Officer and CEO of Ogilvy Africa. Akua’s tenure will take effect on November 17, 2025, marking a major leadership transition at the regional marketing and communications group. Patricia Ithau exits WPP Scangroup Akua, who also joins the WPP Scangroup board as an executive director, takes over from Patricia Ithau. Ithau exits the company after leading its restructuring and transformation over the past few years.
Why did the board hire Akua as new CEO? In a statement, the board described Akua as a “strategic leader and turnaround expert” with more than 18 years of experience in integrated communications, brand transformation, and business growth across multiple African markets. The company noted that her leadership is expected to drive WPP Scangroup’s next phase of innovation and regional expansion. “Akua has a proven track record of managing large cross-functional teams, revitalising underperforming businesses, and fostering client trust through a commitment to operational excellence and creative delivery,” the board said in the announcement. What is Akua’s work experience? Before her appointment, Akua served as Chief Client Officer and Head of Connected Culture at Ogilvy Africa. She was in charge of client relations, creative integration, and culture-building initiatives across the continent.
She was also the Acting Managing Director of Scanad Kenya and previously held senior roles within WPP Scangroup’s Ogilvy Ghana and Publicis West Africa. Throughout her career, Akua has managed teams and clients in markets including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia, earning recognition for cultivating purpose-driven innovation and strengthening organisational culture. Her expertise spans strategy development, creative direction, public relations, digital transformation, and integrated marketing communications. The new Scangroup CEO holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Central University College in Ghana and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Hult International Business School in the United Kingdom. “The Board is confident that the company will benefit from Akua’s skills, knowledge, extensive leadership, and industry experience, and welcomes her to the company,” WPP Scangroup said. The appointment has been approved by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) in line with the Capital Markets (Public Offers, Listing and Disclosures) Regulations, 2023.
By Elijah Ntongai
