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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, where he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, and into his early career juggling full-time work and part-time postgraduate studies. Starting on the front lines as a field sales representative at Clover, he provides insight into how hands-on sales experience sharpened his commercial instincts before progressing into an assistant brand manager role.

The conversation then follows James’ move to Mars Petcare, where he broadened his marketing expertise across a global organization, eventually leading to an international relocation to Australia. Now a Marketing Director, James reflects on the skills, mindset, and career decisions that enabled his growth across markets and roles.

This episode offers aspiring sales and marketing professionals practical lessons on starting from the ground up, leveraging education and values, and embracing global opportunities to shape a future-focused career.

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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 commercial talent.

Chris Baddock reflects on his early years, growing up in Melbourne before moving to Sydney at age seven, and how his father’s career at Wrigley’s - rising from state manager to national sales manager - inspired his own path into sales leadership. After building his career within major liquor businesses, Chris shifted his focus toward coaching, dedicating himself to helping emerging leaders grow through his own development practice.

Jon Bradshaw shares his globally diverse story, beginning in England and spanning continents through his time with Diageo, which took him to the United States before ultimately bringing him to Australia. With a career that has woven through iconic companies such as Mars, Diageo, Lion, and Virgin, plus experience in start-ups and the non-profit space with Outward Bound, Jon brings a rich and varied perspective on what great leadership looks like across environments.

Together, Jon and Chris dive into the power of mentorship, what makes the MindPick program unique, and why fostering open, peer-driven conversations is essential for shaping the future of sales and marketing leadership. Whether you're early in your career or already on the path to leading teams, this episode offers valuable insights from two leaders deeply invested in helping others thrive.

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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 and later to Australia through a six-month exchange at the University of Queensland. Her career began in consulting, where she worked across everything from fast-food expansion to retail loyalty programs before relocating to Australia to advise major retailers and consumer goods companies.

Grant’s path began on the opposite side of the world. Born and raised on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, he developed a passion for sales and customer service through early roles at NAB and Woolworths while studying Business at the University of Newcastle. He went on to spend 16 years at Lion and completed an MBA along the way.

Together, Grant and Alanna share insights on career building, cross-industry learning, leadership, and how their unique backgrounds inform their work at Fever-Tree. If you’re exploring your future in sales, marketing, or strategy - or simply love a great career story - this episode is packed with sharp lessons and inspiration.

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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 discovering her passion for sales through hands-on experience across strategy, procurement, and transformation, Tess’s story is one of curiosity, resilience, and reinvention.

Her husband, Adam, brings his own depth of experience as Director of Operations and Transformation at Circana, having transitioned from nearly a decade in rowing coaching into the world of insights and operational excellence. Together, they discuss how their sporting mindset has shaped their approach to business, leadership, and balance.

We explore how Adam and Tess use their networks across sport and industry to open new doors post-athletic career, how they navigate the demands of raising a young family, and what the corporate world can do better to support working parents.

This is an inspiring conversation about growth, adaptability, and redefining success - on and off the field.

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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 mother who worked as a secretary, Donna’s early life instilled in her a strong work ethic and appreciation for craftsmanship and detail - qualities that have carried through her marketing career.

A private school education opened doors to new opportunities, and while Donna once dreamed of representing England in hockey, her passion for teamwork and performance eventually led her to pursue Food Management at Bournemouth University. From there, she launched her career with Marks & Spencer, laying the foundations for what would become a dynamic trajectory across the FMCG sector.

Donna reflects on her early roles at United Biscuits, where she developed a deep understanding of consumer behavior, and her later position as Chief of Staff to the European CEO at Heinz, which gave her a front-row seat to global strategy, innovation, and leadership at scale.

Now leading marketing and customer strategy at FoodCo, Donna discusses the evolving expectations of today’s consumer, the balance between creativity and data in modern marketing, and how her journey continues to be shaped by curiosity, resilience, and purpose.

Tune in to hear how Donna’s experiences - from sports fields to boardrooms - offer valuable lessons for anyone aspiring to build a meaningful and future-ready career in sales and marketing.

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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, to leading iconic brands like Carlton Draught, Doritos, and Red Bull across Australia, Canada, and the U.S., his career has been a masterclass in marketing, leadership, and global brand building.

But in April 2025, he stepped off the treadmill - literally - and onto a bike, choosing to trade boardrooms and business plans for the open road. What followed was a transformative journey across America, driven by reflection, purpose, and a desire to reconnect with what really matters.

In this episode, we unpack:

• What it takes to walk away from a thriving executive career
• How the Deliberate Detour reshaped his perspective on leadership, success, and self
• The lessons from decades of building brands - and what business can learn from taking a step back

Whether you’re a marketing veteran, a corporate leader, or someone quietly craving a detour of your own - this conversation is equal parts inspiring and grounding.

Episode 25: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1235627/episodes/8755684-episode-25-seb-brandt-from-ingham-s-group-limited.mp3?download=true

Episode 90: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1235627/episodes/15506970

Instagram: @thedeliberatedetour

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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.

From launching her career at Danone in the UK to driving modern trade excellence across the Asia-Pacific region, she shares insights into navigating global markets, adapting to cultural shifts, and building customer-centric strategies that work across borders.

Whether you're in FMCG, brand management, or just passionate about global business, this episode offers a compelling look at what it means to lead with both strategy and cultural intelligence.

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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 her career. Also joining the conversation is Keith Quigg, CEO of Activate Group and Director of the Joe Berry Award, offering perspective on the award’s legacy and its role in shaping the future of the industry.

A must-listen for aspiring leaders and industry enthusiasts alike!

Ready to be the future of retail leadership?
The Joe Berry Award is your opportunity to stand out, showcase your insight, and be recognised by the industry's top leaders.

Pre-registration for the 2026 Award opens on the 1st October 2025!

Entries can be submitted to entries@joeberryaward.com.au