MUSSAVIR BHARDE TAKES ON EXPANDED GLOBAL ROLE AT WPP, LEADS REWS GLOBAL CAPABILITY CENTRE IN MUMBAI

WPP has appointed Mussavir Bharde as Global Director, Operations & Enablement – Procurement & REWS. He will lead the setup of the REWS Global Capability Centre in Mumbai, focusing on AI-driven efficiency, analytics, and digital transformation. Bharde’s expanded role builds on his success in establishing WPP’s Procurement GCC and advancing global operational excellence.

Global marketing and communications giant WPP has announced the appointment of Mussavir Bharde to an expanded global leadership role as Global Director, Operations & Enablement – Procurement & Real Estate and Workplace Services (REWS). In this capacity, Bharde will oversee the establishment of the REWS Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Mumbai, while spearheading efforts to drive operational excellence, analytics, and digital enablement across both Procurement and REWS functions worldwide.

The new role marks another milestone in Bharde’s distinguished career at WPP, where he has been instrumental in building the company’s global procurement infrastructure. His latest mandate reflects WPP’s strategic focus on AI-driven efficiency, scalable processes, and integrated global support models — all designed to strengthen agility and innovation within its global operations.

Under Bharde’s leadership, the upcoming REWS GCC in Mumbai will serve as a strategic global hub for advancing data-led decision-making, digital transformation, and workplace experience innovation across WPP’s vast network. The centre will also integrate sustainability and ESG-led governance frameworks, aligning with WPP’s global commitment to responsible business practices.

Before assuming his expanded role, Bharde served as Global Procurement Operations & Enablement Director, where he successfully established WPP’s Procurement GCC in Mumbai, which today supports global category management across diverse domains including Professional Services, People Services, Real Estate, IT & Telecom, Production, Advertising & Marketing, and Travel. His initiatives have been central to streamlining procurement operations and embedding digital-first solutions across WPP’s global business units.

With over two decades of experience, Bharde has built a reputation as a seasoned procurement and operations leader with a strong focus on transformation and innovation. His prior roles span across leading organisations such as Reliance Industries Limited, GEP Worldwide, Accenture, Saint-Gobain, Schlumberger Foundation, Siemens, and TATA AutoComp Systems Ltd. — where he contributed to strategic sourcing, category management, supplier governance, and global procurement strategy.

At WPP, Bharde has also served in multiple regional leadership roles — including Procurement Country Lead for India, Regional Procurement Lead for South Asia, Middle East & North Africa, and Head of Procurement – India. Across these positions, he has consistently demonstrated expertise in ESG reporting, sustainability initiatives, and operational transformation, helping WPP enhance its global supply chain and workplace efficiencies.

His leadership philosophy centers on the power of technology, data, and collaboration. By combining digital enablement with a people-first approach, Bharde aims to create a robust, future-ready global procurement and workplace ecosystem that supports WPP’s vision of creative transformation and operational agility.

Industry observers note that Bharde’s elevation underscores WPP’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its global shared services model, leveraging India’s strategic position as a hub for technology, innovation, and high-end operational capability. The expansion of the REWS GCC also signals WPP’s confidence in Mumbai as a growing centre of excellence for digital operations and procurement transformation.

As WPP continues to evolve its global operations for greater efficiency and sustainability, Mussavir Bharde’s leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s next phase of global capability building, ensuring that its operational backbone keeps pace with its creative and digital ambitions.