Form 6-K - Report of foreign issuer [Rules 13a-16 and 15d-16]

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_____________________

 

FORM 6-K

____________________

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the Month of October 2024

 

Commission File Number: 001-38303

______________________

 

WPP plc

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

________________________

 

Sea Containers, 18 Upper Ground

London, United Kingdom SE1 9GL

(Address of principal executive offices)

_________________________

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

 

Form 20-F X Form 40-F ___

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ___

 

Note:  Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ___

 

Note:  Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

In connection with the provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the ‘Reform Act’), the Company may include forward-looking statements (as defined in the Reform Act) in oral or written public statements issued by or on behalf of the Company. These forward-looking statements may include, among other things, plans, objectives, beliefs, intentions, strategies, projections and anticipated future economic performance based on assumptions and the like that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as ‘aim’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘forecast’, ‘guidance’, ‘intend’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘should’, ‘potential’, ‘possible’, ‘predict’, ‘project’, ‘plan’, ‘target’, and other words and similar references to future periods but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. As such, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, as a prediction of actual results or otherwise. Important factors which may cause actual results to differ include but are not limited to: the impact of epidemics or pandemics including restrictions on businesses, social activities and travel; the unanticipated loss of a material client or key personnel; delays or reductions in client advertising budgets; shifts in industry rates of compensation; regulatory compliance costs or litigation; changes in competitive factors in the industries in which we operate and demand for our products and services; changes in client advertising, marketing and corporate communications requirements; our inability to realise the future anticipated benefits of acquisitions; failure to realise our assumptions regarding goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets; natural disasters or acts of terrorism; the Company’s ability to attract new clients; the economic and geopolitical impact of the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza; the risk of global economic downturn; slower growth, increasing interest rates and high and sustained inflation; supply chain issues affecting the distribution of our clients' products; technological changes and risks to the security of IT and operational infrastructure, systems, data and information resulting from increased threat of cyber and other attacks; effectively managing the risks, challenges and efficiencies presented by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI technologies and partnerships in our business; risks related to our environmental, social and governance goals and initiatives, including impacts from regulators and other stakeholders, and the impact of factors outside of our control on such goals and initiatives; the Company’s exposure to changes in the values of other major currencies (because a substantial portion of its revenues are derived and costs incurred outside of the UK); and the overall level of economic activity in the Company’s major markets (which varies depending on, among other things, regional, national and international political and economic conditions and government regulations in the world’s advertising markets). In addition, you should consider the risks described in Item 3D, captioned “Risk Factors,” which could also cause actual results to differ from forward-looking information. In light of these and other uncertainties, the forward-looking statements included in this document should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that the Company’s plans and objectives will be achieved. Neither the Company, nor any of its directors, officers or employees, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of any events anticipated, expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements will actually occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.	Description
1	Notification of Major Holdings dated 17 October 2024, prepared by WPP plc.

 

TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings

 

1. Issuer Details

 

ISIN

 

JE00B8KF9B49

 

Issuer Name

 

WPP PLC

 

UK or Non-UK Issuer

 

Non-UK

 

2. Reason for Notification

 

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights; An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments; Other

 

Comments

 

Increase in holding following client instruction to elect for decision making on voting rights

 

3. Details of person subject to the notification obligation

 

Name

 

BlackRock, Inc.

 

City of registered office (if applicable)

 

Wilmington

 

Country of registered office (if applicable)

 

USA

 

4. Details of the shareholder

 

Full name of shareholder(s) if different from the person(s) subject to the notification obligation, above

 

 

City of registered office (if applicable)

 

 

Country of registered office (if applicable)

 

 

5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reached

 

15-Oct-2024

 

6. Date on which Issuer notified

 

16-Oct-2024

 

7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation

 

..	% of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8.A)	% of voting rights through financial instruments (total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2)	Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B)	Total number of voting rights held in issuer
Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached	6.660000	3.340000	10.000000	107857889
Position of previous notification (if applicable)	6.660000	3.310000	9.970000

 

8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reached

 

8A. Voting rights attached to shares

 

Class/Type of shares ISIN code(if possible)	Number of direct voting rights (DTR5.1)	Number of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1)	% of direct voting rights (DTR5.1)	% of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1)
JE00B8KF9B49		71779155		6.660000
Sub Total 8.A	71779155		6.660000%

 

8B1. Financial Instruments according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (a))

 

Type of financial instrument	Expiration date	Exercise/conversion period	Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/converted	% of voting rights
Securities Lending			30123832	2.800000
American Depository Receipt			3048719	0.290000
Sub Total 8.B1			33172551	3.090000%

 

8B2. Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (b))

 

Type of financial instrument	Expiration date	Exercise/conversion period	Physical or cash settlement	Number of voting rights	% of voting rights
CFD			Cash	968683	0.080000
ELN	28-Oct-2024		Cash	1937500	0.170000
Sub Total 8.B2				2906183	0.250000%

 

9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation

 

2. Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entities (please add additional rows as necessary)

 

Ultimate controlling person	Name of controlled undertaking	% of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold	% of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold	Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)	BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)	BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)	BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco Pte. Ltd.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)	BlackRock HK Holdco Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)	BlackRock Lux Finco S.a.r.l.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)	BlackRock Japan Holdings GK
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)	BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)	Trident Merger, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)	BlackRock Investment Management, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)	BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)	BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)	BlackRock Holdco 3, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)	BlackRock Cayman 1 LP
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)	BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)	BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)	BlackRock Group Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)	BlackRock Finance Europe Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)	BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4)	BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4)	BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4)	BlackRock Australia Holdco Pty. Ltd.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4)	BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5)	BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5)	BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5)	BlackRock Holdco 3, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5)	BlackRock Cayman 1 LP
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5)	BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5)	BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5)	BlackRock Group Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5)	BlackRock International Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 6)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 6)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 6)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 6)	BlackRock Holdco 4, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 6)	BlackRock Holdco 6, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 6)	BlackRock Delaware Holdings Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 6)	BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7)	BlackRock Holdco 4, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7)	BlackRock Holdco 6, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7)	BlackRock Delaware Holdings Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7)	BlackRock Fund Advisors
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 9)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 9)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 9)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 9)	BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 9)	BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 9)	BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10)	BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10)	BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10)	BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco Pte. Ltd.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10)	BlackRock HK Holdco Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10)	BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BlackRock Holdco 3, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BlackRock Cayman 1 LP
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BlackRock Group Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BlackRock Finance Europe Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 11)	BlackRock Asset Management Deutschland AG
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 12)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 12)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 12)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 12)	BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 12)	BlackRock Canada Holdings ULC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 12)	BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 13)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 13)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 13)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 13)	BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 13)	BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 14)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 14)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 14)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 14)	BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 14)	BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 14)	BlackRock Holdco 3, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 14)	BlackRock Cayman 1 LP
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 14)	BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 14)	BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 14)	BlackRock Group Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 14)	BlackRock Finance Europe Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 14)	BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 15)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 15)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 15)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 15)	BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 15)	BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 15)	BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco Pte. Ltd.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 15)	BlackRock (Singapore) Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 16)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 16)	BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 16)	BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 16)	BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 16)	BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 16)	BlackRock Holdco 3, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 16)	BlackRock Cayman 1 LP
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 16)	BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 16)	BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 16)	BlackRock Group Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 16)	BlackRock Finance Europe Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 16)	BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 17)	BlackRock Finance, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 17)	Trident Merger, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 17)	BlackRock Investment Management, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 17)	Amethyst Intermediate, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 17)	Aperio Holdings, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 17)	Aperio Group, LLC

 

10. In case of proxy voting

 

Name of the proxy holder

 

 

The number and % of voting rights held

 

 

The date until which the voting rights will be held

 

 

11. Additional Information

 

BlackRock Regulatory Threshold Reporting Team   Jana Blumenstein   020 7743 3650

 

12. Date of Completion

 

16th October 2024

 

13. Place Of Completion

 

12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL, U.K.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

	WPP PLC
	(Registrant)
Date: 17 October 2024.	By:  ______________________
	Balbir Kelly-Bisla
	Company Secretary

---