The Financial Times has apologised to former WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell after including him in an article about “disgraced” chief executives accused of serious wrongdoing.

Sir Martin stepped down as chief executive of WPP, the world’s largest advertising agency in April, after allegations of personal misconduct through the misuse of company assets.

Sir Martin, who led the company for 33 years, stepped aside following the conclusion of an internal investigation, details of which were not revealed although WPP said “the allegation did not involve amounts that are material”.