Your Future in Sales & Marketing

Epizodes

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  Episode 145: Tanya Pitchforth | Chase a Trajectory, not a Destination: Lessons from a Global FMCG Career 16.07.2026 43min

  Send us Fan Mail What actually separates a sales director from a chief commercial officer? For Tanya Pitchforth, it's courage, clarity and humanity, not just hitting budget. Tanya is Chief Commercial Officer at McPherson's, the ASX-listed company behind Lady Jayne, Manicare, Swisspers and Dr. LeWinn's, and spent over a decade at Danone building new growth spaces across Paris and Amsterdam before that. In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, Tanya talks to Mike Dickson abo...
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  Episode 144: Nick Cook | From Hyundai to Mad Mex: Building Bold Brands, Fast Decisions & Fearless Marketing 18.06.2026 32min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, Ben Carnegie is joined by Nick Cook, General Manager of Marketing at Mad Mex, for a deep dive into a career shaped by agency creativity, automotive scale, and fast-moving QSR execution. Nick shares how his early days across multiple agencies - including Euro RSCG (now Havas), DDB, and Saatchi & Saatchi helped him develop a strong foundation in creative craft and brand thinking. While agency life built his appreciation...
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  Episode 143: Serge Costi | FMCG Brand Building & Leadership: Diageo, Lion, and Scaling Milk Lab into a Global Success 26.05.2026 49min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Future in Sales & Marketing, Ben Carnegie is joined by Serge Costi, General Manager of Marketing at Noumi, the company behind leading dairy and plant-based beverage brands including Milk Lab. Serge shares his journey through some of the world’s most influential FMCG organisations, from early career experiences at George Weston Foods to nearly a decade at Diageo, where he worked across iconic brands such as Bundaberg Rum and Smirnoff in both domestic and...
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  Episode 142: Ben Gibson | Inside FMCG Leadership: Ben Gibson on Building Brands, Sales, and Scaling Startups 12.05.2026 26min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Andrew sits down with Ben Gibson, General Manager at Mark Anthony Brands Australia, to unpack a career that’s anything but linear. Ben shares how he went from a traditional accounting start to partnering with sales teams, stepping backwards into field sales to accelerate his growth, and eventually leading national accounts before diving into the entrepreneurial world with VOC Beverages and launching his own seltzer brand. They explore the power of breadth ove...
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  Episode 141: Leigh Coppin and Iain Shedden | No Slow Maybes: Leadership, Clarity & Growth in FMCG 16.04.2026 48min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Leigh Coppin and Iain Shedden from Real Pet Food, share their career journeys and leadership lessons from within a fast-paced FMCG environment. Both highlight the value of non-linear careers—where calculated risks and unexpected moments often shape the biggest growth opportunities. Leigh’s path is defined by pivotal “sliding doors” decisions, while Iain’s takes a particularly wild turn—literally—when he recounts the moment he rolled his car on a country...
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  Episode 140: Florence Paoli | International Careers, Inclusive Leadership & Embracing AI 02.04.2026 44min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, we’re joined by Florence Paoli, Marketing Director at Reckitt, whose career spans France, the UK, the Middle East, and now Australia, to explore International career, inclusive leadership and how to embrace AI. Originally from Lyon, France, Florence grew up with a strong foundation of respect, trust, safety, and hard work. After completing a business and marketing degree, Florence discovered her love for business an...
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  Episode 139: Alex Barsley | From Farm Roots to General Manager: An Unconventional Commercial Career 26.03.2026 28min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, we’re joined by Alex Barsley, General Manager at AB World Foods, whose path into commercial leadership proves there’s no such thing as a “typical” sales and marketing career. Growing up in Shropshire in the UK, Alex was raised between two very different professional influences - a father working on a dairy farm and a mother in sales. That blend of work ethic and commercial instinct would quietly shape her future. After st...
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  Episode 138: Briar Keenan | Carving Your Own Path: From FMCG Leader to Commercial Excellence Consultant 12.03.2026 39min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, we sit down with Briar Keenan, Commercial Excellence Leader at Big Rocks Ltd, to explore what it really means to build a career on your own terms. Originally from New Zealand, Briar grew up surrounded by tourism destinations, nature, and ski fields - eventually settling in Queenstown. With parents working in tourism and hospitality, her upbringing was grounded in service, resilience, and adaptability. But her career didn’...
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  Episode 137: Glen Scarlett | No Straight Lines: Building a Sales Career Through Experience 26.02.2026 34min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, we sit down with Glen Scarlett, Commercial Director at Pernod Ricard Australia, to explore a career journey that proves there’s no single path to success in sales and marketing. Growing up in Lowestoft, a small seaside town in England, Glen was certain from the age of 10 that he wanted to join the police force. But when his application was denied and he was told to go and gain “life experiences,” it set him on an entirely...
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  Episode 136: Talent Wrap 2026: Hiring, Careers & What’s Coming Next 12.02.2026 20min

  Send us Fan Mail In this special Talent Wrap episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, Andrew and Ben look ahead to 2026 and unpack what’s next for sales and marketing professionals. From evolving hiring trends to shifting employer expectations, they share their predictions on how the talent market is set to change - and what that means for both businesses and individuals. The conversation explores the broader market forces shaping recruitment, including economic conditions, business con...
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  Episode 135: Discussing the [axr] 2026 Salary Guide with Andrew Cannock & Ben Carnegie 05.02.2026 13min

  Send us Fan Mail Back by popular demand - our review of the [axr] 2026 Salary Guide! In this episode, Andrew Cannock & Ben Carnegie give you a deep dive into our latest salary guide, including: What to expect from Sales, Marketing, Category and Commercial Excellence roles in 2026Market trends and industry insights What the numbers meanWhat we are looking for as recruiters when recruiting these roles and how we refer back to this guide Role scope and in-demand skills...
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  Episode 134: [axr] Career Advice | How to Get the Most out of your Recruitment Process as the Hiring Manager 29.01.2026 9min

  Send us Fan Mail In this AXR How-To Series special of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, we flip the recruitment lens and speak directly to hiring managers. Mike is joined by Beth Holgate, Ben Carnegie, and Andrew Cannock, this episode breaks down how to get the most out of your recruitment process - whether you’re hiring for the first time or looking to level up your approach. The conversation covers the fundamentals of recruiting well, from getting the basics right and building a clear hir...
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  Episode 133: [axr] Career Advice | How to Navigate the Recruitment Process as the Candidate 22.01.2026 12min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, Mike is joined by Beth Holgate and Ben Carnegie of the Sales and Marketing team at AXR, for another special episode of the How to series. We cover how to build a strong, results-driven resume that highlights your skills and impact, and how to effectively use LinkedIn to grow your personal brand, expand your network, and attract opportunities. You’ll learn how to work strategically with recruiters, what they look for...
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  Episode 132: [axr] Career Advice | How to Make Great Career Decisions 15.01.2026 8min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, Mike is joined by fellow co-host Andrew Cannock, for another special episode of the How to series. In this episode, Mike and Andrew share insights to help you make great career decisions. You’ll hear actionable advice on navigating early career choices, making smart transitions, and avoiding common pitfalls that can stall growth. Whether you’re a student, a career switcher, or a professional planning your next move,...
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  Episode 131: [axr] Career Advice | How to get promoted 08.01.2026 11min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, Mike is joined by Nick Constain, Host of From Go to CFO for a special episode of the How to series. Mike and Nick break down the real-world strategies behind getting promoted. From demonstrating value beyond your job description to navigating conversations with leadership, they share practical advice, personal experiences, and actionable steps listeners can apply immediately. Whether you’re aiming for your nex...
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  Episode 130: James Deysel | How Field Sales Shaped a Marketing Leader 18.12.2025 39min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with James Deysel, Marketing Director of SnackBrands, to explore a career built on resilience, values, and strategic growth. Raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, James shares how his early life shaped a strong sense of fairness, justice, and hard work - principles that helped him earn a full university scholarship and set the foundation for his professional journey. James takes us through his academic path at the University of Johannesburg, ...
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  Episode 129: MindPick Special: Shaping Tomorrow’s Talent: Insights from MindPick Mentors Jon Bradshaw & Chris Baddock 11.12.2025 44min

  Send us Fan Mail In this MindPick Special edition of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, we sit down with two seasoned business leaders - Jon Bradshaw and Chris Baddock - who have each carved out influential careers before establishing their own coaching and consulting practices. Now serving as mentors in the MindPick peer-to-peer mentoring program, Jon and Chris open up about their journeys, their leadership philosophies, and why they’re passionate about developing the next generation of com...
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  Episode 128: Alanna Gibson and Grant Howard | Two Paths, One Purpose: How Fever-Tree’s Leaders Built Careers in Sales & Strategy 27.11.2025 39min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with two of Fever-Tree’s key leaders - Grant Howard, General Manager, and Alanna Gibson, Head of Strategy - whose very different journeys converged at one of the most dynamic brands in premium beverages. Originally from York in the UK, Alanna’s entrepreneurial spirit showed up early. From lemonade stands to crepe carts and ice-cream stores, she spent her school years discovering a love for business that led her to study at the University of Bath a...
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  Episode 127: Adam Vine-Hill and Tess Gerrand | From Rowing to Revenue: Navigating Career Transitions, Family, and the FMCG World 13.11.2025 51min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Adam Vine-Hall and Tess Gerrand - a true FMCG power couple whose story blends elite sport, business transformation, and family life. Tess, a former Olympian turned Head of Customer Category & Execution at Kraft Heinz, shares her journey of retiring from sport at just 26 and navigating a new professional identity. From the recommendation of Coca-Cola Amatil’s Managing Director to join a cross-functional leadership graduate program, to disc...
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  Episode 126: Donna Oakley-Davies | Purpose, People, and the Power of Food 30.10.2025 40min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Donna Oakley-Davies, a seasoned marketing leader whose journey from the rolling hills of Wiltshire to the boardrooms of global FMCG brands is nothing short of inspiring. Originally from a small village near Westbury - famous for its iconic White Horse - Donna shares how her rural upbringing, love of the outdoors, and strong family values shaped her grounded yet ambitious approach to leadership. With a father who was a cabinet maker and a moth...