Banking & Finance
Patricia Ithau: CEO Transforming WPP-Scangroup
Patricia Ithau leads WPP-Scangroup with innovation, championing women in business and reshaping Africa’s marketing landscape.
Patricia Ithau leads WPP-Scangroup PLC, the largest marketing and communication network in sub-Saharan Africa. She assumed the role of CEO on March 14, 2022, following the exit of company founder Bharat Thakrar.
Under her visionary leadership, WPP-Scangroup is redefining the East African advertising industry with a multi-agency, innovation-driven model. Her strategy focuses on pushing creative boundaries and delivering scalable solutions for brands across the region.
Patricia studied at Loreto Convent Msongari in Nairobi before earning a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Nairobi. She later pursued an MBA in Strategic Management at USIU-Africa.
Her executive education includes programs at:
These global credentials have shaped her distinguished leadership style and business acumen.
Before joining WPP-Scangroup, Patricia was the Founding CEO of L’Oréal East Africa, where she led a successful market penetration strategy. Under her tenure:
- L’Oréal East Africa posted $25 million in annual revenue
- Employed over 270 people
- Manufactured 40 million units annually
She also led one of the first multinational acquisitions of a local business in East Africa—solidifying her legacy in the FMCG space.
Patricia is a Women on Boards Network (WOBN) ambassador, pushing for gender parity in boardrooms across Kenya. She currently serves on the boards of:
She is also a trustee for the Vodafone Foundation (UK) and the M-PESA Foundation.
Patricia’s life journey includes navigating stereotypes after winning the Miss Kenya title in 1986, while in her first year at the University of Nairobi. She has often cited this period as crucial in building her resilience and leadership confidence.
- Awarded Head of State Commendation (HSC) in 2020 for contributions to Kenya’s business sector
- Certified Executive Coach
- Certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner
Her commitment to leadership coaching and holistic development reflects her passion for nurturing the next generation of African business leaders.
As East Africa Regional Director for Stanford SEED (Stanford Institute for Innovation in Developing Economies), Patricia has helped scale over 200 businesses across sub-Saharan Africa. Through SEED, she focuses on:
- Tackling leadership bottlenecks
- Driving innovation and job creation
- Promoting sustainable growth in SMEs
More on this: Stanford SEED in East Africa
Patricia is a devoted mother to Mueni and Makena, and she has shared publicly how parenting has deepened her understanding of mentorship, emotional intelligence, and legacy-building.
From spearheading regional expansion at L’Oréal to steering WPP-Scangroup toward future-facing marketing solutions, Patricia Ithau exemplifies the power of visionary leadership in Africa.
Her advocacy for women in leadership, emphasis on corporate social responsibility, and unwavering commitment to enterprise development continue to shape the business landscape—not just in Kenya, but across the continent.
- Women Executives Driving Corporate Change in Africa
- Kenya’s Leading Women in Business 2025
- FMCG Sector Trends in East Africa
- Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
- Stanford SEED Success Stories from Kenya