Emma Isaac, Head of Brand Marketing & Marketing Planning of Waitrose

Emma started her career as a graduate trainee at British Airways, working across sales, operations and innovation teams before making her way into Marketing. Learning first hand that brands are built from the inside out led Emma to set up and run an Executive Coaching practice before becoming a brand strategy consultant and Partner in two boutique brand strategy agencies. Emma was tempted back to client side by a turnaround challenge at Barclays, spending three years there as Global Director of Brand and Marketing. She then joined NatWest Group (formerly RBS) in June 2016 taking on one more big turnaround challenge in financial services as Brand Marketing Director for all of the groups brands, including NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank and Coutts. In March 2021, Emma joined another iconic British business to lead Brand and Marketing strategy, Planning, Campaigns and Advertising for Waitrose.

Outside of work, Emma is an active member of WACL (Women in Advertising & Communications Leadership), has a lifelong passion for dance, a newfound passion for running and a love of trying her hand at many an amateur art project – emphasis on amateur!

Emma Isaac headshot

NOMINATIONS FOR 2026 ARE OPEN!

The program is free but highly selective so firstly we ask senior business leaders working within Marketing, Media and Advertising to nominate the best of their emerging leaders for a place on the program. All ‘nominees’ then receive an ‘Invitation to Apply’ which includes essential information about the process.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 2026 ARE OPEN

Applicants may apply to EITHER cohort regardless of country of residence, but must commit to attend both Residential dates & the Virtual day of their chosen cohort. Attendance is mandatory and a condition of acceptance onto the program.

We'll keep you updated on
The Scholarship

Register interest for The Scholarship

We'll keep you updated on
The Global Fellowship

Register interest for The Global Fellowship