Dentsu Group Inc. has announced that Takeshi Sano will take over as Executive Officer, President and Global CEO of dentsu following the company’s 177th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for March 27, 2026.
Sano, who currently serves as Representative Director, President & CEO of Dentsu Inc., will assume the position of Representative Executive Officer, President & Global CEO of Dentsu Group Inc., subject to resolutions at the shareholders’ meeting and the subsequent Board of Directors meeting on the same day. He will concurrently serve as CEO of dentsu Japan and as a part-time Director of Dentsu Inc.
He succeeds Hiroshi Igarashi, who will step down after nearly four decades with the group. Igarashi joined the company in 1984.
In a statement, the company said, “Takeshi Sano, who will step down from his current role as Representative Director, President & CEO of Dentsu Inc., is scheduled to assume the position of Representative Executive Officer, President & Global CEO of Dentsu Group Inc. following resolutions at the 177th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Dentsu Group Inc. and the subsequent meeting of its Board of Directors, both scheduled to be held on March 27, 2026. He will concurrently serve as CEO of dentsu Japan as well as a part-time Director of Dentsu Inc.”
Separately, Dentsu Inc. announced that, effective April 1, 2026, its Board of Directors has resolved to appoint Chisato Matsumoto as Representative Director, President & CEO, succeeding Sano in the role.
Matsumoto will continue to serve concurrently as Chief Client Officer of dentsu Japan, which oversees and supports dentsu's domestic business. He has held leadership roles including Managing Executive Officer (Business Produce) of Dentsu Inc. and Chief Client Officer of dentsu Japan, and has served as Director and Executive Vice President of Dentsu Inc. since January 2026. The company cited his track record in strengthening client engagement capabilities and driving business expansion across Dentsu Inc. and dentsu’s domestic operations as key factors in his appointment.
Additionally, Yoshimasa Watahiki will be appointed Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, dentsu, and COO, dentsu Japan.
