Exhibit 4.18


                             DATED 29TH January 2003



                        CORDIANT COMMUNICATIONS GROUP PLC

                                 NIGEL STAPLETON



                              APPOINTMENT AGREEMENT
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                              CONTENTS


                                                                Page

Parties                                                          3

Agreement                                                        3

1.   Definitions and Interpretation                              3

2.   Appointment                                                 3

3.   Duties                                                      3

4.   Powers                                                      4

5.   Fees                                                        4

6.   Expenses                                                    4

7.   Review                                                      4

8.   Confidentiality                                             4

9.   Other Directorships                                         5

10.  Termination                                                 5

11.  Restrictions Following Termination                          6

12.  Disclosure of Interests                                     8

13.  Notices                                                     8

14.  Governing Law and Jurisdiction                              9

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                              APPOINTMENT AGREEMENT

DATE    29TH JANUARY                                                        2003


PARTIES

1.   CORDIANT COMMUNICATIONS GROUP PLC (Registered No. 1320869) whose registered
     office is at 1-5 Midford Place, London W1 5BH ("Cordiant") and

2.   NIGEL STAPLETON of Ashley Walls, 76 Ashley Park Avenue, Walton on Thames,
     Surrey KT121EU ("Mr Stapleton")


1.   Definitions and Interpretation

     1.1  In this Agreement, the following words and expressions shall have the
          following meanings:-

          Board: the board of directors of Cordiant or any committee of such
          board duly appointed by it;

          Notice: notice in writing served on Cordiant in accordance with Clause
          13.

          1.2   In this Agreement (unless the context requires otherwise):-

          1.2.1 the singular includes a reference to the plural and vice versa;

          1.2.2 any reference to a Clause is to a Clause of this Agreement; and

          1.2.3 the headings contained in this Agreement are for the purposes of
                convenience only and do not form part of and shall not affect
                the construction of this Agreement or any part of it.

2.   Appointment

     Mr Stapleton shall be appointed as non-executive Chairman of Cordiant with
     effect from 1 March 2003. The appointment will continue thereafter unless
     and until terminated by either party giving the other not less than 12
     months' notice in writing expiring at any time or otherwise terminated in
     accordance with Clause 10. below.

3.   Duties

     3.1  Mr Stapleton shall be subject to the normal legal duties and
          responsibilities of a director. As non-executive Chairman, Mr
          Stapleton shall assist the Board to provide Cordiant with sound
          leadership, as well as ensuring high standards of corporate governance
          and financial probity and the effectiveness of the management team.

     3.2  Mr Stapleton shall act as a member of the Remuneration and Audit
          Committees and as Chairman of the Risk Management Committee. The
          Remuneration Committee generally meets 6 times each year, whilst the
          Audit and Risk Management Committees generally meet three times each
          year.

     3.3  Mr Stapleton shall be expected to attend each meeting of the Board and
          of any committees to which he is appointed, the Annual General Meeting
          and any Extraordinary General Meetings of Cordiant and certain
          functions during the year at which many of Cordiant's management will
          be present.

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     3.4  Mr Stapleton shall be expected to devote such time as is reasonably
          required to fulfil his duties (as detailed in this Clause 3). The
          parties anticipate that these duties will require Mr Stapleton's
          commitment for2 days per week on average.

     3.5  Cordiant shall procure that appropriate office and secretarial
          facilities are made available to Mr Stapleton to enable him to perform
          his duties under this Agreement

     3.6  Cordiant shall provide Mr Stapleton with reports on a monthly basis
          outlining the current performance of Cordiant and he is welcome to
          request further information about any part of Cordiant or to visit any
          of Cordiant's operations at any time.

     3.7  During his appointment, Mr Stapleton shall comply with Cordiant's Code
          of Conduct, which incorporates the UK Listing Authority Model Code for
          Securities Transactions by Directors of Public Companies.

4.   Powers

     A schedule of the authorities and powers specifically vested in the Board
     and its various committees, and the authorities that have been delegated to
     the Chief Executive Officer and his executive colleagues will be sent to Mr
     Stapleton by the Company Secretary,

5.   Fees


     5.1  In consideration of the performance by Mr Stapleton of his duties as
          non-executive Chairman of Cordiant, Cordiant shall pay to Mr Stapleton
          an annual salary of (pound)200,000 (inclusive of any director's fees)
          in equal monthly instalments in arrears (subject to deduction of tax
          and national insurance contributions).

     5.2  Mr Stapleton shall not be entitled to participate in any Cordiant
          share, bonus or pension schemes or other benefit in kind arrangements
          of Cordiant. Cordiant does, however, currently maintain indemnity
          insurance for its directors, details of which are available from the
          Company Secretary.

6.   Expenses

     6.1  Cordiant shall reimburse Mr Stapleton in full for all reasonable out
          of pocket expenses which he may properly incur in the course of
          performing his duties as non-executive Chairman in accordance with
          Cordiant's normal procedures.

     6.2  Mr Stapleton may, with the approval of the Board, be reimbursed for
          his legal costs in seeking separate independent legal advice about his
          responsibilities as a director of Cordiant, should circumstances arise
          in which it becomes necessary for him to do so.

7.   Review

     Mr Stapleton's contribution and effectiveness will be reviewed with him
     annually on behalf of the Board by the senior non-executive director.

8.   Confidentiality

     8.1  Mr Stapleton shall not (except in the proper performance of his duties
          hereunder) either during the continuance of his appointment hereunder
          or at any time after its termination divulge to any person whomsoever
          and shall use his best endeavours to prevent the publication or
          disclosure of any trade secret or other confidential information
          concerning the business, finances, dealings, transactions or affairs
          of Cordiant or any Cordiant company or of any of their respective
          customers or clients entrusted to him or arising or coming to his
          knowledge during the course of his appointment hereunder or otherwise.

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     8.2  Mr Stapleton shall upon termination of his appointment hereunder
          immediately deliver up to or at the direction of Cordiant all client
          lists, correspondence and other documents, papers, computer disks and
          other such records and all property belonging to Cordiant or any
          Cordiant company which may have been prepared for him or come into his
          possession in the course of his appointment hereunder and he shall not
          retain any copies thereof.

9.   Other Directorships

     9.1  Mr Stapleton shall not during the continuance of his appointment
          hereunder without the prior written consent of the Board (such consent
          not to be unreasonably withheld) hold any directorship other than in
          connection with the performance of his duties hereunder.

     9.2  For the avoidance of doubt, the above Clause 9.1 shall not apply to
          directorships held by Mr Stapleton as at the date of this Agreement as
          listed in Appendix I.

10.  Termination

     10.1 The appointment will at all times be terminable by either party giving
          notice to the other in accordance with Clause 2 above provided that
          Cordiant may at its sole discretion elect to terminate the contract
          immediately in consideration of the payment by Cordiant to Mr
          Stapleton within seven days of the date of termination of a sum
          amounting to such proportion of the basic salary payable hereunder for
          the period of notice (or part thereof) which would otherwise have been
          served in accordance with the provisions of this sub-paragraph subject
          to the deduction of tax and national insurance;

     10.2 The appointment shall terminate automatically upon Mr Stapleton
          vacating office under the Articles of Association of Cordiant or upon
          Mr Stapleton not being re-elected as a director when submitted for
          re-election

     10.3 This Agreement shall be subject to termination:-

          10.3.1    by Cordiant by summary notice in writing and without payment
                    of any kind in lieu of notice or otherwise:-

                    10.3.1.1  if Mr Stapleton shall become of unsound mind or be
                              or become a patient for the purpose of any statute
                              relating to mental health;

                    10.3.1.2  if Mr Stapleton shall at any time be prevented by
                              illness or accident from performing his duties for
                              a period of 6 consecutive months or if he shall be
                              absent from his duties by reason of illness or
                              accident for more than 180 working days in any
                              consecutive twelve months except where such
                              incapacity arises out of the performance of his
                              duties hereunder;

                    10.3.1.3  if Mr Stapleton shall have committed any serious
                              breach or repeated or continued (after warning)
                              any material breach of his obligations hereunder
                              or shall have committed any act tending to bring
                              himself or Cordiant any Cordiant company into
                              disrepute or shall have been declared bankrupt or
                              compounded with his creditors generally;

                    10.3.1.4  if Mr Stapleton shall be or become prohibited by
                              law from being a director of a company;

                    10.3.1.5  if for any reason Mr Stapleton shall otherwise
                              than at the request of the Cordiant resign as a
                              director of Cordiant;

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     10.4 The termination by Cordiant of this Agreement shall be without
          prejudice to any claims which Cordiant may have for damages arising
          from any breach thereof by Mr Stapleton giving rise to such
          termination.

     10.5 In the event that this Agreement is terminated by Cordiant without
          giving due notice or making payment in lieu with the result that Mr
          Stapleton makes any claim for damages for breach of contract then
          Cordiant may (at its option and without such action being taken as any
          admission of liability on the part of Cordiant) elect to make monthly
          payments on account of damages to Mr Stapleton and PROVIDED THAT such
          payments are made and Mr Stapleton is not in a worse financial
          position on such monthly basis than if his appointment hereunder had
          not been terminated then Mr Stapleton may not institute or prosecute
          any proceedings for damages for breach of contract against Cordiant.

     10.6 If a disciplinary matter arises involving Mr Stapleton, he may be
          suspended on such terms and conditions as the Board may reasonably
          determine provided that his salary shall not be reduced or withheld.

11.  Restrictions following Termination

     11.1 Mr Stapleton acknowledges that the goodwill of Cordiant lies primarily
          in its dealings and relationships with the clients by which it is
          retained and for which it works and without prejudice to the
          generality of the foregoing in particular in the relationships
          established between its clients and its employees. Mr Stapleton
          further acknowledges that the relationship between Cordiant and its
          clients is one of absolute confidence and trust which Mr Stapleton
          agrees to respect since Mr Stapleton is likely to obtain in the course
          of his appointment hereunder confidential information relating to
          clients of Cordiant or any Cordiant company including (but without
          limitation) corporate and business plans, projections, financial
          details and projections, information relating to products or services
          and planned projects or services, marketing and advertising plans and
          in addition information regarding the servicing of clients' needs and
          the supply by Cordiant of services to them including (but without
          limitation) details regarding fee levels and commission charges and
          structures. Cordiant expects Mr Stapleton to use good business
          judgement, high ethical standards and common honesty in all his
          business dealings with Cordiant and any Cordiant company and with any
          client of Cordiant or any Cordiant company at all times during the
          course of his appointment hereunder and following the termination
          (howsoever arising) of such appointment. Mr Stapleton agrees that he
          will not at any time after the termination of his appointment
          hereunder (howsoever arising) either personally or by his agent or
          otherwise directly or indirectly:-

          11.1.1    represent himself as being in any way connected with or
                    interested in the business of Cordiant or any Cordiant
                    company;

          11.1.2    use or communicate or divulge or discuss with any person,
                    firm or company any confidential information (as set out
                    above) relating to the affairs or business of Cordiant or
                    any Cordiant company or any of their respective clients
                    prepared, compiled or generated by him or coming into his
                    possession or made available to him in the course of or as a
                    consequence of his appointment hereunder except to the
                    extent that such information is properly already within the
                    public domain save as a result of a breach by Mr Stapleton
                    of the terms of this Agreement;

          11.1.3    communicate to any person, concern, undertaking, firm or
                    body corporate anything which is intended to or which will
                    or may damage the reputation or good standing of Cordiant or
                    any Cordiant company.

     11.2 Mr Stapleton further agrees that he will not (in each case whether
          directly or indirectly and whether for his own account or in
          partnership with another or others either as principal or as servant,
          agent, consultant or officer of another):-

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          11.2.1    during the period of twelve calendar months following the
                    termination of his appointment hereunder (howsoever caused)
                    deal with, seek employment or engagement with, be employed
                    or engaged by or engage in business with or be in any way
                    interested in or connected with any business which competes
                    with any business carried on by Cordiant or any Cordiant
                    company as at the date of termination of this Agreement in
                    which Mr Stapleton was involved on behalf of Cordiant at any
                    time within the 12 months immediately preceding the date of
                    termination of this Agreement or, where Mr Stapleton is
                    required not to perform duties pursuant to Clause 3.2, at
                    any time in the 12 months preceding the date when he is
                    notified of that requirement;

          11.2.2    during the period of twelve calendar months following the
                    termination of his appointment hereunder (howsoever
                    caused):-

                    11.2.2.1  seek employment with;

                    11.2.2.2  be employed or engaged by;

                    11.2.2.3  represent;

                    11.2.2.4  deal with in an advisory or service supplying
                    capacity;

                    11.2.2.5  supply services the same as or similar to those
                    supplied by Cordiant or any Cordiant Company to;

                    11.2.2.6  engage in or undertake any advertising or related
                    business for any Client (as defined  below) with whom he has
                    had personal dealings or on or for whose account or business
                    he has  worked or had  responsibility  during  the period of
                    twelve months prior to the termination of this Agreement (or
                    where he is not  required  to  perform  duties  pursuant  to
                    Clause 3.2, at any time in the 12 months  preceding the date
                    when he is  notified of that  requirement)  in relation to a
                    product  or  service  which is the same as or  similar  to a
                    project  or  service  of the  Client  with or for  which  Mr
                    Stapleton  has had such  dealings or  responsibility  during
                    such period;

          11.2.3    during the period of twelve calendar months following the
                    termination of his appointment hereunder (howsoever caused)
                    canvass, solicit, interfere with or in any other way
                    endeavour to win or attract away from Cordiant or any
                    Cordiant Company all or part of the business of any Client
                    (as defined below) for the purposes of providing to that
                    Client services which are the same or similar to those which
                    he has been involved in providing to that Client at any time
                    in the 12 months preceding the termination of this Agreement
                    or where he is not required to perform duties pursuant to
                    Clause 3.2, at any time in the 12 months preceding the date
                    when he is notified of that requirement;

                    For the purposes of this Clause 13 the word "Client" shall
                    mean any person, firm or company who is or was a customer or
                    client of or by or for whom Cordiant or any Cordiant Company
                    is or was retained or engaged or carries or carried out any
                    work or for all or part of whose business Cordiant or any
                    Cordiant Company made a presentation (or other similar
                    offering of services) in each case at any time within the
                    period of twelve calendar months prior to the termination of
                    Mr Stapleton's appointment hereunder;

          11.2.4    during the period of twelve calendar months following the
                    termination aforesaid either on his own account or for any
                    other person, firm or company solicit the services of or
                    endeavour to entice away from Cordiant or any Cordiant
                    company any director, or senior or managerial employee or
                    consultant who is employed or engaged by Cordiant or any
                    Cordiant company who is known personally to him (whether or
                    not such person would

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                    commit any breach of his contract of employment or
                    engagement by reason of leaving the service of such company)
                    nor shall Mr Stapleton knowingly employ or aid or assist in
                    or procure the employment of any other person, firm or
                    company of any such person;

          11.2.5    during the period of twelve calendar months following the
                    termination aforesaid interfere or seek to interfere with
                    contractual or other trade relations between Cordiant or any
                    Cordiant company and any of its or their suppliers.

     11.3 While the restrictions aforesaid are considered by the parties to be
          reasonable in all the circumstances it is agreed that if any of such
          restriction shall taken alone or together be adjudged to go beyond
          what is reasonable in all the circumstances for the protection of the
          legitimate interests of Cordiant or any Cordiant company but would be
          adjudged reasonable if part of the wording thereof were deleted the
          said restrictions shall apply with such words deleted.

     11.4 Mr Stapleton hereby agrees that he will at the request and cost of
          Cordiant enter into a direct agreement or undertaking with any
          Cordiant company whereby he will accept restrictions and provisions
          corresponding to the restrictions and provisions herein contained (or
          such of them as may be appropriate in the circumstances) in relation
          to such services and such area and for such period as such company or
          companies may reasonably require for the protection of its or their
          legitimate interests.

     11.5 Mr Stapleton agrees that having regard to the facts and matters
          aforesaid the restrictive covenants herein contained are reasonable
          and necessary for the protection of the legitimate interests of
          Cordiant and the Cordiant companies and Mr Stapleton agrees that
          having regard to those circumstances those covenants do not work
          harshly on him.

     11.6 The restrictions contained in each sub-clause of Clause 11.2 shall be
          construed as separate and individual restrictions and shall each be
          capable of being severed without prejudice to the other restrictions
          or to the remaining provisions.

     11.7 Mr Stapleton shall not knowingly at any time make any untrue statement
          in relation to Cordiant or any Cordiant company and in particular
          shall not after the termination of his appointment hereunder
          wrongfully represent himself as being employed by or connected with
          Cordiant or any Cordiant company.

12.  Disclosure of Interests

     Mr Stapleton shall notify the Company Secretary of those of his interests
     and the interests of his family of which he and Cordiant need to be aware
     in order to avoid any conflict of interests and in order to comply with
     statutory requirements. Any questions regarding this disclosure should be
     directed to the Company Secretary.

13.  Notices

     13.1 Any notice to be served in connection with this Agreement and any
          notice or other correspondence under or in connection with this
          Agreement shall be delivered (by hand, by registered mail or by
          facsimile), in the case of Cordiant, to its registered office for the
          time being, and in Mr Stapleton's case, to the address given in this
          Agreement (or as otherwise notified by Mr Stapleton in writing to
          Cordiant from time to time).

     13.2 Any such notice shall be deemed to have been served, in the case of
          delivery by hand, on the first business day following delivery, in the
          case of service by mail, on the third business day after the day on
          which it was posted or in the case of facsimile transmission, on the
          day it is transmitted provided that if that day is not a business day,
          on the first business day following transmission of the notice.

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     13.3 In this Clause, "business day" means any day other than Saturday,
          Sunday or any other day which is a public holiday in the place or to
          which the notice or correspondence is left or despatched.

14.  Governing law and jurisdiction

     This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
     laws of England.

     The Parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts as
     regards any claim, dispute or matter arising out of or relating to this
     Agreement.



Executed as a Deed by                       )
CORDIANT COMMUNICATIONS GROUP PLC           )
Acting by Charles Scott                     ) /s/ Charles Scott
And Denise Williams                         ) /s/ Denise Williams



Signed as a Deed by                         )
NIGEL STAPLETON                             ) /s/ Nigel Stapleton
In the presence of:                         )
[illegible]
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                                   APPENDIX I



List of Directorships

London Stock Exchange plc

Uniq plc

Reliance Security Group plc

Ashley Walls Investment Limited

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30 May 2003

                                                                        CORDIANT

Mr Nigel Stapleton
Ashley Walls
76 Ashley Park Avenue
Walton on Thames
Surrey
KTI2 1EU


Dear Nigel,

Your Appointment Agreement with Cordiant Communications Group Plc (the
"Company")

We are writing to confirm the amendments to the terms of your appointment
agreement with Cordiant Communications Group Plc that we have discussed. The
economic effect of the changes will be backdated so as to take effect from 1
March 2003. They amend your Appointment Agreement dated 29 January 2003 (the
"Appointment Agreement") and are as follows:

1.   If you are required to carry out your duties under your Appointment
     Agreement in excess of 2 days per week on average during any month then you
     will be entitled to be paid at a daily rate of (pound)2,000 (subject to
     deductions of tax and national insurance contributions) for each additional
     day that you carry out duties for the Company during that period.

2.   The payments due to you under paragraph 1 above may, at your discretion, be
     paid into a personal pension scheme nominated in writing by you to the
     Company Secretary (subject to applicable Inland Revenue and statutory
     limits).

3.   Any sums due to you under paragraph 1 above will be paid to you, or at your
     discretion to the pension scheme you have nominated under paragraph 2, no
     later than the penultimate working day of the month immediately following
     the month to which the payment relates provided that the number of
     additional days worked by you during the period has been agreed in writing
     between you and the Company and if not then as soon as possible after such
     agreement is reached.

4.   Any sums due to you under paragraph 1 above that relate to the period from
     1 March 2003 to 31 May 2003 Will be paid to you within five working days of
     the date of this Agreement provided that the number of additional days
     worked by you during the period has been agreed in writing between you and
     the Company and if not then as soon as possible after such agreement is
     reached.

We would be grateful if you could sign the enclosed copy of this letter and
return it to the Company Secretary at the address shown above indicating your
agreement to be bound by the terms of the Appointment Agreement as amended by
the terms of this letter. For the avoidance of doubt you agree that where this
letter contradicts the terms of the Appointment Agreement the terms of this
letter shall prevail and that otherwise the Appointment Agreement remains in
full force and effect.
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AS WITNESS this supplemental agreement has been signed by the parties hereto the
day and year first before written.

Executed for and on behalf of                      ) /s/ Denise Williams
Cordiant Communications Group plc                  ) /s/ Andrew Boland
acting by Denise Williams                          )
And Andrew Boland                                  )


Signed as a Deed by                          )
NIGEL STAPLETON                              ) /s/ Nigel Stapleton
In the presence of:                          ) /s/ Rebecca Taylor
Rebecca Taylor

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