WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell has weighed in on Donald Trump’s surprise win in the US presidential election, describing it as “effectively a second Brexit”.
Sorrell said in an email statement that the election result has left many very surprised. “including the markets and me”.
“It’s going to take a significant amount of time to assess the implications beyond the short-term,” he said.
“Increased levels of uncertainty will mean more hesitation to make important decisions in the short-term, both by people and governments. But it may accelerate implementation of helpful reforms in the medium-term to reduce uncertainty and stimulate investment as a result.”
Sorrell said it was clear that immigration, trade and terrorism were key issues that swayed electoral opinion significantly, “just as they did in the UK, and probably will in the European referendum and elections to come”.
“There will now be a lot of reassessment, including of polling techniques,” he said.
“Electorates at times like these clearly don’t like to be told how they’re going to vote, especially by the media and other elites.
Sorrell made is feelings known after the UK’s decision to exit the European Union, saying it left him “very disappointed”.
However, there was a silver lining for Sorrell that coincided with the US Election – the birth of his first child with wife Cristiana Falcone.
“Baby Sorrell was born on Election Day in New York,” he revealed.
“A welcome to a rollercoaster world.”
