Fellowships have been awarded to 18 leaders from the world of Marketing
The Marketing Academy, a voluntary non-profit organisation committed to preparing CMOs for the top job, in partnership with McKinsey & Company, today releases the line-up of the 2014 Fellows. Eighteen marketers have made the cut this year; 20% more than last year, based on the incredibly high calibre of entrants. This year’s cohort include: Craig Inglis of John Lewis Plc, Julia Porter, from Guardian Media Group and Sarah Warby, Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd.
The Fellowship is a highly selective part time programme which, as with all Marketing Academy programmes, is delivered free of charge. For 12 months, the Fellows will have access to board-level thinking and distinctive learning opportunities to prepare them for future CEO and board roles. They will be mentored by the best. Previous mentors have included Sir Stuart Rose, Amanda Sourry, Unilever Chairman UK, Chris Weston, CEO of British Gas and Ronan Dunne, CEO of O2.
Sherilyn Shackell, Founder of The Marketing Academy says: “In the current market, business is all about knowing your customer inside out … and marketers are at the centre of that core of knowledge. In part, this is why CMOs make great CEOs. However, there are challenges in gaining the right experience and the senior exposure required to make it to the top. The Fellowship programme bridges this gap, ensuring that marketing leadership talent can take their rightful places in the C suites.”
The curriculum has been developed by McKinsey and is supported by industry to ensure emerging CEOs have unparalleled training, exposure and insights for the top job. Since the programme’s inception two years ago, several Fellows have already risen up the ranks and are making an impact like never before.
For instance, before joining the 2013 Fellowship, Jeff Dodds worked for Virgin Media for five years, during which he held a number of Director and Executive Director roles. He is now CEO of Tele2 Netherlands.
Jeff Dodds comments: “The Marketing Academy Fellowship was invaluable in helping me make the transition from chief marketing officer at Virgin Media to CEO of one of Europe’s fastest growing telecoms companies. Marketers have exceptional business skills which translate very well in leadership positions. The key is to bolster these skills with across-the-board insights. With the right tools and support, it’s only a stone’s throw away from CEO.”
Katie Vanneck-Smith is another 2013 Alumni. She recently moved into the role of Chief Customer Officer and Global Managing Director for International at Dow Jones & Co. Previous to this she was the Chief Marketing Officer at News UK.
Katie Vanneck-Smith adds: “The Marketing Academy Fellowship programme has been such an enriching experience. Whilst I was proud of my achievements at News UK, which included launching its innovative customer loyalty programme and masterminding its digital paid content strategy, I was ready for the next challenge. I didn’t want to operate in a marketing silo. The Fellowship programme gave me a holistic view of running a company from the top. By hearing from accomplished CFOs and understanding how to manage a merger and acquisition for instance, I gained the confidence I needed to take responsibility at the helm, to believe in my leadership strength and authority.”
The programme kicks-off with a three day ‘Residential’ at McKinseys Alpine University in Kitzbuhel, Austria on the 25th November. Sponsors include ISBA, British Airways, and this year for the first time, Adobe.
Emma Chalwin, Director, EMEA Brand & Events at Adobe Systems explains why Adobe chose to support the programme: “This is an important initiative for Adobe. Given our product set we’re naturally committed to the marketing sector and have long appreciated the skills and talents marketers can bring to the top table. Being involved in the Fellowship shows that we are not only committed to our customers but we also believe that investing in talent is good for the businesses they serve and the economy as a whole.”
The Marketing Academy Fellowship Programme 2014 – Fellows
April Adams-Redmond – Chief Marketing Officer, Kerry Foods
Christopher Macleod – Marketing Director, Transport for London
Craig Inglis – Marketing Director, John Lewis Plc
David James – Marketing Director, BT Plc
Julia Porter – Director of Consumer Revenues, Guardian Media Group
Julian Diment – Customer & Marketing Director, Dixons Carphone
Keith Moor – Chief Marketing Officer, Santander
Mark Evans – Group Marketing Director, Direct Line Group
Mark Phibbs – VP EMEA Marketing, Adobe Systems Europe
Mauro Fanfoni – SVP Marketing and Innovation, Eni S.p.A.
Peter Corijn – Chief Marketing Officer, Imperial Tobacco Limited
Robert Weston – Global Brand & Marketing Director, Marks and Spencer
Rufus Radcliffe – Group Marketing & Research Director, ITV Network Ltd
Sally Cowdry – Marketing Director, Camelot UK
Sarah Warby – Marketing Director, Sainsbury’s Ltd
Sholto Douglas-Home – Chief Marketing Officer, Hays Plc
Simon Michaelides – Marketing Director, UKTV
Sophie Goldschmidt – Chief Commercial Officer, Rugby Football Union
About the Fellowship:
◾Applicants must have at least 15 years’ experience, be inspirational leaders and be able to demonstrate significant professional achievements in their career
◾There are three stages to the selection process: an application which is scrutinised by a panel, an online assessment and panel interviews.
◾The Fellows receive one-to one mentoring from some of the UK’s most high profile board chairs, non-executives, CEOs, CFOs, board members and influencers. In addition, they will have access to an extended network of top business leaders across all board functions
◾All Fellows will be given the opportunity to gain practical board experience as a nonexecutive, board Advisor or Trustee of a charity or social enterprise
END
