WPP has pared back its sales forecasts for 2009 because of what Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of the marketing group, called a “growing lack of confidence” among business leaders and clients.

Sir Martin said 2009 was “always likely to be a weaker year” because of the absence of large sporting or political events. But as the recession deepened even in the early part of the year, WPP now forecasts 2 per cent decline in revenue, compared with expectations of a flat performance compared with 2008.