Kevin Roberts resigns: Saatchi & Saatchi executive chairman steps down amid sexism row

Roberts prompted fury by suggesting many women do not want top jobs in the advertising industry

Kevin Roberts asserted that the lack of women in leadership roles in the industry was ‘not a problem’ (Getty)

The executive chairman of the advertising agency network Saatchi & Saatchi has resigned from his position after prompting fury by suggesting women in the advertising industry were not hindered by sexism.

Kevin Roberts provoked outrage when he denied gender diversity was still an issue for debate within the industry, claiming gender issues are “way worse” in other sectors.

In a statement after his resignation was announced, Mr Roberts, 66, said: “'Fail Fast, Fix Fast, Learn Fast' is a leadership maxim I advocate.

“I failed exceptionally fast.

"My miscommunication on a number of points has caused upset and offence, and for this I am sorry."

His controversial remarks came during an interview with Business Insider, where he also claimed many women - and men - just want to be happy as opposed to climbing the career ladder.

“They are going: ‘Actually guys, you’re missing the point, you don’t understand: I’m way happier than you.’ Their ambition is not a vertical ambition; it’s this intrinsic, circular ambition to be happy.

“So they say: ‘We are not judging ourselves by those standards that you idiotic dinosaur-like men judge yourself by.’ I don’t think [the lack of women in leadership roles] is a problem.”

On Saturday, Saatchi & Saatchi parent company Publicis, where Mr Roberts is also Head Coach, announced he had been placed on leave.

In a statement today, the company said: “The supervisory board and the chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe took note of Kevin Roberts’ decision to step down with effect from 1 September 2016, prior to his retirement date due in May 2017.”

Roberts was due to retire in May 2017.