Explore every episode of the podcast Climb Show

What does it take to keep growing when the obvious growth levers stop working?
In this episode, we sit down with Rob Weston, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Loop EarPlugs, whose career has taken him from Unilever and McKinsey to M&S, Samsung, Beauty Pie, Asda and now Loop Earplugs.
Rob shares the lessons he’s learned from moving between some of the world’s biggest companies and fast-growing businesses, including why “the grass is rarely greener, it’s a different shade of green” and why he’s always been drawn to change, reinvention and growth.
We also dive into how Loop grew from around €100 million to more than €225 million, the four-pillar strategy behind that growth, and how partnerships with McLaren, Coachella, Tomorrowland, Swarovski and Harry Styles helped build both demand and brand desire.

What if managing your energy matters more than managing your time?
In this episode, we welcome back Sophie Devonshire, CEO of The Marketing Society, for a fascinating conversation about leadership, marketing, ambition, AI, career growth and what it really means to thrive at work.
Sophie shares why she believes we are entering a new golden age of marketing, why marketers need to become better at “marketing marketing”, and how the profession can play a bigger role in driving responsible business growth.
We also get into the very practical side of leadership: managing your energy, staying effective when everything is changing, communicating with confidence, learning from your peers and moving fast without simply adding more pressure to your life.

What makes a brand so good that customers keep coming back?
In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Holt, CMO of Center Parcs UK & Ireland, to unpack the thinking behind one of the UK’s most loved experience brands, her approach to marketing leadership, customer experience, commercial growth and the rapidly changing world of AI.
Sarah shares how Center Parcs achieved record revenue of £758 million, record EBITDA of £323.9 million and its highest ever occupancy of 97.5%, while revealing why the real secret to the brand’s success isn’t advertising.
It’s the experience customers have once they’re there.
We explore why Sarah would choose investing in customer experience over increasing the marketing budget, how she approached her first 90 days as CMO, why she deliberately spent her first 100 days learning rather than fixing, and how she identified three key areas for transformation - brand, personalization and capability.

What does it take to build a distinctive brand in a low-interest category like insurance? And how might AI completely change the way insurance is bought?
In this episode, we sit down with Ed Birth, Head of Brand Marketing at Hiscox UK, to unpack what great brand leadership really looks like — from his nearly 20 years in agency life to moving client-side, building Hiscox’s brand relaunch in 2023, and thinking about the future of marketing in an AI-driven world.

What really makes a customer loyal? Is it points, discounts and loyalty programmes or something much deeper?
In this episode, we sit down with Simon Jamieson, Managing Director of Marketing Lounge Partnership (MLP), to unpack what customer loyalty really means in a world where information, choice and convenience have become completely commoditised.
Simon shares why brands need to move beyond short-term retention metrics and focus on creating positive emotions, building relationships and influencing customer behaviour.
From his “happy heart, happy wallet” philosophy to his Loyalty Layer Cake, Simon explains why a loyalty programme can only work when the fundamentals price, product, service, brand and purpose are already right.

AI is changing the way we search, shop, work and make decisions and according to Max Sinclair, we’re only at the beginning.
In this episode, we sit down with Max Sinclair, Founder & CEO of Azoma, an AI search and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) agency working with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Mars, Colgate, P&G, Reckitt, Unilever and Zappos.
Max breaks down what comes after traditional SEO, why brands need to start thinking about AEO, and how AI agents could completely change the way consumers discover and buy products.
We also get into the bigger questions around agentic AI from personalised health and education to AI-powered shopping, wearable AI, self-driving cars and the future of work.

In this episode, we’re joined by Lauren Berkeymeyer, Chief Marketing Officer at u life, for a candid conversation about unconventional careers, hustling, taking risks, building from scratch and thinking beyond the traditional marketing playbook.
Lauren describes herself as a “non-boxy CMO” someone who thrives on unpredictability, experimentation and carving her own path rather than simply following a prescribed playbook.
We talk about what hustling really means in marketing, why marketers need to get out into the field and experience rejection, how to identify your North Star, and why understanding the entire business, not just your marketing function makes you a better marketer.

From teaching pottery in South India to leading Global Insights, Planning & Brand Strategy at Standard Chartered, Tim Hulbert has had one of the most unconventional careers you’ll ever hear about.
In this episode, Tim shares how curiosity, saying “yes” to opportunities, and embracing uncertainty shaped a career that spans television, digital publishing, Fortune 500 companies, and global banking.
We dive into the future of careers, AI, leadership, marketing, stakeholder management, wealth psychology, luck vs hard work, and why the best career advice might simply be: “Just do something."

In this episode, we sit down with Vasileios Kourakis, Global Marketing Effectiveness Director at L’Oréal, and Camille Erard, Luxury & Beauty Partner at Ekimetrics, to unpack how one of the world’s biggest beauty companies is transforming marketing through AI, advanced measurement and data-driven decision making.
From building a culture of marketing effectiveness to scaling AI across global teams, this conversation explores how leading brands move beyond dashboards and reporting to create real business impact.

What does it take to lead in an AI-first world?
In this episode, Mike Soutar, former The Apprentice advisor, entrepreneur, and author of Next Gen CEO shares the leadership frameworks every modern leader needs.

Marketing is changing faster than ever. AI is reshaping the industry, customer behavior is evolving, and marketers are being asked to do more with less. So what does it actually take to lead marketing in 2026?
In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Fuller, Chief Marketing Officer at The AA, whose career spans some of the UK’s most iconic brands including Procter & Gamble, Nando’s, British Airways, John Lewis, and more.
Sarah shares practical lessons on leading high-performing marketing teams, building brands that customers genuinely trust, using AI without losing creativity, and why curiosity remains the most valuable skill any marketer can develop.
Whether you’re a CMO, marketing leader, founder, agency owner, or aspiring marketer, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately.

This week, we’re joined by Tamara Rogers, former Chief Marketing Officer at Haleon and former Unilever marketing leader, for a masterclass on modern marketing, leadership, AI, consumer insights and building billion-dollar brands.
After spending 25 years at Unilever and helping build Haleon into one of the world’s largest consumer health companies, Tamara shares what it really takes to build brands that consumers trust, how global marketing is evolving, why critical thinking matters more than ever in the AI era, and the leadership principles behind high-performing teams.
Whether you’re a marketer, founder, business leader or simply curious about the future of branding, this episode is packed with practical insights.

In this episode, we sit down with Kate Gandhi, VP of Marketing at Bally’s Interactive, to unpack the twists, setbacks, and pivotal moments that shaped her career.
From being rejected by her dream graduate scheme at Diageo to building an international career across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, startups, and global brands, Kate shares the lessons she’s learned about leadership, confidence, career growth, and navigating uncertainty.

What happens when AI stops listening to what brands say… and starts revealing what they actually are?
In this episode, we sit down with Nick Emmel, Founder of Mr. President, one of the UK’s most distinctive creative agencies, to unpack why most brands are built backwards and what it really takes to create brands people believe in.
From Ryanair and Apple to Vodafone and Metro Bank, Nick shares why brand isn’t advertising, identity or a campaign, it’s the total experience.

From sending 200 job applications to leading Marketing Strategy & Operations across EMEA at EasyJet, Jessica Houston’s career journey is a masterclass in resilience, networking, growth and building a career with intention.
In this episode, Jess opens up about:
- Breaking into consumer marketing
- Building relationships that create opportunities
- Navigating restructures and uncertainty
- Why marketing operations deserves more attention
- How AI is changing the future of work
- Burnout, boundaries and redefining success
- Mentoring, leadership and continuous learning

From helping scale Silicon Valley Bank across global markets to leading through one of the most dramatic moments in modern banking history, Elly Sherwin has seen leadership, growth, resilience, and marketing from every angle.
In this episode, Elly shares what it was really like navigating the collapse of SVB, the transition into HSBC Innovation Banking, and why she ultimately chose to return to startup life as CMO of Fundament.
We explore how modern B2B marketing is evolving, what it takes to drive predictable growth, how marketers can build stronger relationships with customers, and why empathy remains one of the most underrated business skills.

What actually makes a startup scale into a billion-dollar brand?
In this episode, we sit down with Lukas Bergmans, former Marketing Director at Wise and marketing leader behind brands like Kazoo, MoneySuperMarket, Pepsi, Heineken & Britvic.

What if the future of marketing isn’t about trends, algorithms or viral hooks… but understanding human psychology at a deeper level than ever before?
In this episode, we sit down with Justin Lane, founder of Culture Pulse, former Oxford researcher & AI expert, to unpack one of the most mind-bending conversations around AI, marketing, psychology & human behavior.
From studying conflict zones in Belfast, Bosnia & Palestine to building psychologically realistic digital twins powered by behavioral science, Justin explains why most AI systems fundamentally misunderstand how humans make decisions.

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Bushby, CMO at Rightmove, to explore how marketing is evolving in the age of AI, audience fragmentation, and changing consumer behavior. Matt shares practical insights on brand building, segmentation, creativity, LLM search, and why AI should empower marketers, not replace them.

AI is no longer hype, it’s driving real business results. In this episode, we sit down with David Black (Managing Director at Google) to break down how AI is transforming marketing, creativity, and the future of work.
From 60% faster business growth for AI-leading companies to 27% more conversions using AI-powered tools, this conversation dives deep into what’s actually working right now.
We explore how Google is building the future with AI, from Gemini models and TPUs to changing consumer behavior across searching, streaming, scrolling, and shopping.

What does it really take to build an iconic brand in today’s world?
In this episode, Annabelle Cordelli (SVP, Virgin Atlantic) shares powerful insights on modern marketing, brand building, and leadership from understanding culture and consumer behavior to creating unforgettable customer experiences.
From competing on price in crowded markets to maintaining brand differentiation, this conversation dives deep into the fundamentals that stay constant across industries and what’s changing fast.

What does it really take to build a career in modern marketing?
In this episode,Maria Koutsoudakis (Chief Brand Officer at VodafoneThree) shares a brutally honest and refreshingly grounded take on marketing, career growth, and leadership.

What does it really take to build an extraordinary career in today’s fast-changing world?
In this live podcast episode, we sit down with a senior leader from John Lewis to unpack real, unfiltered insights on career growth, leadership, AI, failure, and what actually drives long-term success.
From navigating the first 90 days in a new role to creating visibility at work, embracing messy opportunities, and handling high-pressure failures, this conversation is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately.

What does it really take to succeed in modern marketing?
In this episode, Simonetta Rigo, Chief Client Officer at Rathbones and former McKinsey consultant, breaks down the reality of marketing today, from rapid growth pressures to evolving technology, and why the best marketers think beyond campaigns and focus on customer experience.
This is a deep dive into leadership, brand strategy, and sustainable growth in one of the most competitive industries today.

In this episode, we sit down with Ruth Mortimer, Global President of Advertising Week, to unpack the future of marketing, leadership, and the creator economy.
From starting her career in archaeology to leading a global media and events business, Ruth shares powerful insights on building a non-linear career, scaling organizations across continents, and staying relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.

What does it take to lead marketing at one of the world’s biggest fashion platforms?
In this episode, Ben Blake (EVP Customer & Commercial at ASOS) breaks down the real truth about marketing, storytelling, and building brands in a cluttered digital world.
From reporting in war zones with CNN to consulting at McKinsey & Company, and leading roles at Expedia, Ben shares how storytelling became the common thread across his career.

What does it really take to build a high-performing marketing career, lead at the highest level, and create lasting customer loyalty?
In this episode, we sit down with Paul Fletcher, Group CMO of Schroders Wealth Management, to unpack the realities of modern marketing, from career pivots and imposter syndrome to building teams, staying relevant, and leading with energy.
Paul shares how he thinks about incremental growth, why energy attracts opportunity, and what truly drives customer loyalty in high-trust industries like wealth management.

What does the future of AI, leadership, and marketing really look like?
In this episode, we sit down with Laura Joseph, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Mobile, to explore her extraordinary journey from studying classics and science fiction to leading customer strategy at one of the UK’s biggest telecom brands.
Laura shares how early exposure to technology, combined with a personal challenge with arthritis, pushed her toward computing during the early days of the internet. From building her first computer to launching broadband products and now navigating the AI revolution, her career sits at the intersection of technology, storytelling, and human experience.

Only 4% of C-suite marketers ever become CEO.
So how did Luke Bradley Jones make it?
In this episode, we sit down with Luke Bradley Jones, CEO and President of The Economist Group, to unpack the real journey from marketing to CEO and what most leaders get wrong.
From launching NOW TV at Sky, to leadership roles at BBC and Disney, to becoming custodian of a 180+ year old global brand, this is a masterclass in modern leadership.

In this episode, we sit down with Richard Bowden, Marketing & Digital Director at Boots No7 Beauty Company, to explore how modern marketing is evolving, from AI and agencies to influencers and leadership.
Richard shares lessons from his career across major global brands including Unilever, and the transformation of No7 into a science-led skincare powerhouse.

How do you build a global Formula One brand before you start winning?
In this episode, we sit down with Rob Bloom, Chief Marketing Officer of Aston Martin F1 Team, to unpack one of the most ambitious brand transformations in modern sport.
With 2026 marking the biggest regulation reset in Formula One history, Aston Martin is entering a new era, new power unit partnership with Honda, the arrival of legendary designer Adrian Newey, a new campus, a new wind tunnel and a bold commercial vision.

Is AI killing agencies… or forcing them to evolve?
In this episode, we’re joined by Nick Ford-Young, Co-Founder of Bold Space and creator of Boldstream, a multi-LLM marketing platform that’s redefining how brands, agencies and CMOs work in an AI-driven world.

In this episode, we sit down with Nicola Matthews, Head of Marketing at Tony’s Chocolonely, to unpack how one of the world’s most purpose-led challenger brands has scaled globally without losing its edge.
Whether you’re a marketer, founder, or brand builder, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on challenger strategy, culture, and creativity.

Join us for an exclusive conversation with Inderjit Bassi, CMO of Barclays, as she shares her journey from strategy to marketing leadership, the role of creativity in the AI era, and how to build a purpose-led, customer-obsessed organization.

David Enwright, Marketing Director at the Post Office, reveals how to rebuild trust after the Horizon scandal, balance brand purpose with performance, and lead through burnout.

Munnawar Chishty, CMO of Carlsberg Britvic, shares her journey from accounting dreams to marketing leadership. She reveals how marketers can prove value in boardrooms, embrace AI smartly, and build challenger mindsets.

Hannah Fisher, Chief Marketing Officer at Saga, reveals how tomorrow's CMOs blend data with empathy amid rapid changes. From multichannel strategies for older demographics to personal IVF career stories and cautious AI adoption, this episode dives deep into human-centered leadership.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dan Rubel, Brand & Marketing Director at Currys, one of the UK’s most competitive and visible retail brands, to unpack what it really takes to lead marketing today.
Dan shares why marketing is still a powerful profession, why CMOs need to drop the victim mindset, and how commercial credibility unlocks real influence. We explore what it means to move from good to great, how Currys built employee-led brand fame, and why giving teams freedom especially in social, drives relevance and results.

In this episode, Simon Valcarcel takes us inside his journey as a modern marketing leader from building iconic work at Virgin Media O2 to navigating burnout, rebuilding identity, and redefining what success truly means.
Simon shares honest insights on discipline, creativity, resilience, team culture, and how to lead with clarity in a fast-changing world. Whether you’re an aspiring marketer, a young professional finding direction, or a leader shaping teams, this conversation will leave you with practical wisdom and fresh perspective.

A real, honest conversation on career pivots, burnout, leadership, and finding balance.
From elite sport to global brands, our guest Kerry Williams shares the mindset shifts, hard lessons, and wins that shaped her journey.
If you’re navigating work, identity, or growth, this one’s for you!

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Andrew Mortimer (aka Morty), co-founder of the Apertto Partnership and former media leader at Sky, as he shares insider insights into the media landscape and marketing mistakes to avoid.
Learn about long-term brand investment, building trust with agencies through leadership and psychological safety, and the pros and cons of in-housing media capabilities. Perfect for marketers, media planners, and anyone wanting a clearer view of modern media strategy.

In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Green, co-founder of The Office Group, as he shares insights from his 20-year journey building a pioneering flexible workspace company valued at over a billion pounds. Discover lessons on co-CEO leadership, brand building focused on people, the future of work, navigating growth, and the importance of resilience and emotional intelligence in business. From start-up stories to reflections on legacy and sustainability, this conversation offers a masterclass in entrepreneurship and innovation in real estate.

In this episode, we sit down with Jay Safdar, Interim Head of Marketing at AllSaints, to unpack his journey, his marketing philosophy, and the unconventional choices that shaped his career. From the evolution of e-commerce to finding your place in a fast-changing industry, Jay shares honest insights, real experiences, and actionable advice for anyone building their path in marketing today.

From influencers to econometrics, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for marketers who want to make smarter, data-driven decisions!

In this episode, we sit down with Dr Grace Kite, Founder of Magic Numbers, to unpack what marketing effectiveness truly means in today’s fragmented media world.
From influencers to econometrics, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for marketers who want to make smarter, data-driven decisions!

In this episode, we sit down with Jill Dougan, to dive deep into her incredible marketing journey from navigating global leadership to building brands that truly connect. Jill shares her insights on balancing life and leadership, the evolving marketer landscape, AI’s role in shaping the future, and how to create your own luck in today’s fast-paced world.
Whether you’re a budding marketer, brand strategist, or business leader, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, personal stories, and trends you’ll want to take notes on.

In this episode of The Places We’ll Go – Marketing Show, we sit down with Dan Elton, a marketing leader known for his strategic clarity, curiosity, and innovation mindset. From navigating uncertainty to embracing Gen AI, Dan opens up about his journey, lessons, and the ideas shaping the future of marketing.
Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders!

Ever wondered how agencies are evolving, AI is changing the strategy game, and small brands are punching above their weight? 🤯
Whether you’re a marketer, strategist, entrepreneur, or just curious about the future of business, this episode is packed with insights, real talk, and actionable tips.

Join us as we chat with Jo McClintock, VP of Brand & Marketing at Trainline, about what it takes to stand out in marketing today. From leading your brand story like a protagonist to navigating international markets and supporting new talent, Jo shares actionable insights for marketers at all stages of their careers.
Whether you’re a budding marketer or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiring advice.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders!

In this episode, we sit down with Pete Markey, one of the most respected CMOs in the industry, to dive deep into the mindset, lessons, and philosophies behind a successful marketing career.
From navigating a purpose-driven journey to embracing constant learning and understanding the power of personal branding, Pete shares powerful insights for anyone looking to grow as a leader and stand out in today’s fast-changing business world.
Whether you’re a marketer, founder, or simply curious about how top leaders think, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and real-world wisdom.

What does it take to build a world-class marketing team in 2025?

In this in-depth conversation, marketing leader Rachel Exton shares actionable insights on everything from brand building and customer orientation to AI integration and leadership strategies. Whether you’re a marketer, entrepreneur, or business leader, this episode is packed with wisdom to help you stay ahead.
Subscribe for more conversations with global leaders, marketing experts, and business innovators!