The World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) has announced that Barclays marketer David Wheldon is to take over as president of the organisation.

Wheldon, managing director for brand, reputation, citizenship and marketing at Barclays, replaces former Pernod Ricard CMO Martin Riley, who has held the post since 2013.

The WFA made the announcement at its annual general meeting in Marrakesh, as part of its Global Marketer Week event, being held in Africa for the first time.

Wheldon has played an instrumental role in developing a new internal corporate ethos at Barclays, which found itself in trouble with regulators in the US and UK over attempts to fix Libor, the inter-bank lending rate.

He started his career in the advertising industry, with stints at Saatchi & Saatchi, WCSR Matthews Marcantonio and Lowe Howard Spink, before becoming VP global director of advertising at Coca-Cola.

Wheldon returned agency-side with spells as president of BBDO Europe and CEO of WPP’s Team Vodafone, before joining the mobile operator at global brand director, a job he held for nearly six years.

“The WFA plays a critical role in our industry in representing marketers’ interests, standing up for what’s best about marketing and helping marketers be more effective and efficient,” said Wheldon.

“The organisation is experiencing impressive growth from corporates and local advertiser associations, proof in itself of the relevance of the organisation and its work. I look forward to helping to shape and drive the WFA agenda at a time where our industry is going through unprecedented change.”

The WFA has also revealed a number of appointments to its board, including Shell global media manager America Campos Silva, Grupo Bimbo CMO Francisco Casa de Falguera and LVMH director of global corporate affairs Paloma Castro Martinez.

Follow all the news from the WFA’s Global Marketer Week on M&M Global.