"However, we start the year with fewer clients under review than we did in 2018, and investments in creativity and technology will further improve the competitiveness of our offer." WPP is also in the process of axing 3,500 jobs worldwide under plans to slash costs by £275m a year as it looks to turn around its fortunes. WPP, which was rocked by the sudden departure last year of founder and chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell, plans to shed under-performing parts of the business and make itself leaner. Total restructuring and transformation costs in 2018 came in at £302m. The firm said it is performing strongly in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, adding that it is addressing issues in the US. "We are at the beginning of a three-year turnaround plan, but WPP's new positioning as a creative transformation company with stronger, more integrated, more tech-enabled agencies is already proving effective, having driven several of our recent new business successes," Mr Read added.