Your Future in Sales & Marketing

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...

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 Dia...

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 wo...

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...

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. Af...

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...

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 hospit...

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 ap...

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 ex...

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 2026 Market trends and industry insights  What the numbers mean What we are looking for as recruiters when recruiting...

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 c...

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 attra...

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 gro...

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, an...

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 profes...

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, thei...

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 h...

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 Coc...

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 he...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome back Seb Brandt, but this time, Seb's story takes a turn. In this special return episode, we catch up with Seb, who recently hit pause on his high-powered corporate life to cycle across the United States on what he calls “The Deliberate Detour.” From growing up in Leichhardt and landing his first marketing job at Ashfield Mall,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Natalie Woolley, the Modern Trade Strategy Centre of Excellence Director for APAC at Suntory Oceania, whose journey through the world of FMCG is as global as it is inspiring.  Born in the UK and raised across continents - with formative years spent in Singapore - Natalie brings a unique, multicultural lens to brand, category, and trade strategy. ...

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, we shine a spotlight on the prestigious Joe Berry Award - one of the retail and FMCG industry's highest honours for young talent.  We're joined by Holly Gregory, the 2025 winner and Assistant Brand Manager at Arnott’s, who shares insights into her journey, winning paper, and what this recognition means for he...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Dennis, Commercial Director at Diageo whose journey from a farm in regional Victoria to the helm of global FMCG brands is nothing short of inspiring.  Raised with a strong work ethic and deep resilience, she shares how her rural upbringing shaped her leadership style, her transition to city life for education, and the pivotal moments that d...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Dan Crabtree, Senior Sales Director at PepsiCo, to explore a career journey that started in the aisles of Woolworths and led to the leadership table of one of the world’s biggest FMCG companies. Growing up in Sydney with a down-to-earth, hard-working family, Dan’s first exposure to retail came as a teenager pushing trolleys and stocking shelves. A...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re joined by Amy Smith and Travis Miller, members of the Mindpick pod , to talk about the power of peer-based learning and what it really takes to thrive in FMCG. Key highlights include: How trust is built when things don’t go to plan—and why that matters in account relationships. The value of being cross-functional and taking on challenges outside your comfort...