Speaking at Microsoft’s Future Decoded event this morning, WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell warned businesses face a heightening global talent ‘war.’

At the event in Excel London he argued that the supply of talent for companies is drying up.

“We live in a world where production exceeds demand and demand exceeds talent,” he said.

“If you think the war for talent is tough now, stand by, because even in young countries like Mexico and Pakistan they will face the same issue. Wherever you look, what you see is a lack of supply of talent.”

Sorrell told the audience that the ‘disintermediation’ impact of technology giants such as Google extends to talent.

“Young people want to work for more disruptive, less bureaucratic companies.”

He added that WPP is seeing a shift in global brand management with a diminishing importance of regional structures in favour of country managers ‘integrating global ideas for local people.”