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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