GroupM Singapore CEO James Chadwick to step down in September

In a note to his team, Chadwick outlined the reasons behind his departure: "After 16 years away from the UK, it has become very clear over the past month that it's now really time for me to go back and spend time with my parents, who have both been in poor health recently. If I leave it any longer, I could regret it for the rest of my life. It has been the hardest decision of my life, as I have enjoyed every day of my new GroupM role, and there are so many exciting challenges and initiatives ahead."

Chadwick was only appointed last December to fill the newly-created position of a dedicated leader for GroupM in the city-state. In an interview with Media in January, he spoke of his plans in Singapore. 

Chadwick previously headed Mindshare's business planning team across Asia-Pacific, and was subsequently charged with building GroupM's position in Singapore through new client services, systems and partnerships.

"James made great progress in his new role as GroupM CEO in Singapore and it is imperative that the momentum is continued and I will be actively seek a replacement as soon as possible," said Mark Patterson, CEO at GroupM Asia-Pacific.

"That process has indeed started. James and his exco in Singapore have a clear vision and strategy and some very exciting initiatives that will be implemented in the coming weeks and months. We have recruited senior new talent recently in Leela Nair who joins us soon and she too will be part of the new leadership team in the market in her trading and training role."

Chadwick has worked in Asia since 1994 and held management positions in Grey Group, Ogilvy & Mather and Intel Asia-Pacific before joining Mindshare in 2005.

According to a source, Chadwick will not immediately be taking up a role within GroupM in the UK as his priority is to settle his family. However, the source added that "those conversations will happen at the appropriate time".