I worked with Laurence Mellman at WPP for over 25 years, during which time the organisation grew from 25,000 to 150,000 people. Laurence ran the M&A process for WPP for many years during which he led the acquisition of many of WPP's most successful businesses. I was the WPP CIO for most of that time. From my point of view, Laurence was always generous with his time and thoughtful advice when I had a thorny business issue to deal with and I duly made use of that fairly regularly; he gave wise counsel on business issues from Brazil to Hong Kong! Given my experience of working with Laurence over the years I think he would make an excellent NED

Laurence was a continuing source of great advice during my tenure at WPP. He has the ability to see business challenges as opportunities when dealt with properly. His counsel was always appreciated.

Laurence served for some 13 years as a non-exec director on the Board of The Jupiter Drawing Room in Cape Town, South Africa at the same time as I served as CFO. Laurence's presence was always a great encouragement, in particular with his ability to see straight to the important issues and to lead any discussions forward on them. Laurence is and always has been extremely approachable, and I believe would be an asset to any Board.

Experience counts, but what is also vital is someone that cares. And that is what you get with Laurence. Plenty of agency and financial experience, but in a short space of time he has been apply it to our business with care and passion. He is not afraid to challenge the CEO, to push agreed projects forward and to have those vital conversations outside of formal board meetings that can make all the difference: smoothing the way for awkward or difficult decisions to be made.

Worked closely with Laurence when I was at MetropolitanRepublic. Very strategic, sound & transparent, with very high expectations.