avas, the world�s fifth-biggest advertising group, entered a new period of uncertainty when Alain de Pouzilhac, chairman and chief executive, stepped down after losing control of the agency to French industrialist Vincent Bollor�. de Pouzilhac said he would hand over charge to Richard Colker, chairman of the group�s audit committee, while a successor was sought.

The move came two weeks after Bollor�, who now owns 22 per cent of Havas, emerged victorious in a ferocious 11-month boardroom battle by securing four seats on the company�s 18-strong board (including one for himself) after a prolonged campaign against de Pouzilhac.... more