Talking Brands, a tasting event with Transform magazine

MT is the newly appointed VP Design, Europe at Pepsico. Her role is to accelerate the growth and development of the design and innovation capability across Europe. Geordie by birth, French by name and Scottish by training, the Glasgow School of Art graduate landed in London over 20 years ago to pursue her passion for Brand Experience and building emotional connections with consumer centricity at the core. During her career MT has established a track record for success and built an impressive portfolio, working with some of the world’s leading brands.

Nik started his career in marketing at Procter and Gamble before moving into advertising.  Over the last 19 years he has led a number of brands for Diageo globally as well as the Guinness business across Africa. As Global Brand Director for Captain Morgan, Nik leads the global marketing strategy for the brand with sales of over £600m.

Nik has a strong track record in international marketing in both turning round and accelerating performance. He has led brands at both mainstream and luxury price points with a focus on building a distinctive positioning executed with creative flair that gets them noticed and drives sales. He loves finding and coaching new talent to unlock new ideas and help people breakthrough.

Nik has a passion for food, growing plants as well as businesses and following sport with any shape of ball.

Nicola aka ‘The Countess of Cocoa’ is UK & Ireland Marketing Manager at Tony’s Chocolonely, the chocolate makers on a serious mission to end slavery in the chocolate industry. The UK & Ire team launched in November 2018 and Nicola brings 8 years of commercial, marketing and innovation experience at Diageo and start up CocoPro with her to the role.

Tony’s Chocolonely is the chocolate market leader in The Netherlands and is now the 6^th biggest chocolate bar brand in the UK 2 years after launch.

Kristin Syltevik is behind the Oxney vineyard just north of Rye in East Sussex. The first vines went in at Oxney Organic Estate in 2012 and today the estate is the UK’s largest organic vineyard making award winning still and sparkling wines.  In addition to wine the estate has holiday accommodation and is a large organic arable farm.  Before becoming a wine producer Kristin co-founded Hotwire, the international technology PR agency. Kristin is Norwegian but lives in UK with her partner and son.

Andy Wood joined Adnams in 1994, he joined the Board in 2000 as Sales and Marketing Director becoming Managing Director in 2006 and Chief Executive in 2010.

He has a DBA from Cranfield University and Honorary doctorates; in Business from Anglia Ruskin University, in Science from Cranfield University and Civil Law from the University of East Anglia. He was also awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2013 and between 2014 to 2016 was HRH The Prince of Wales’ Ambassador for Responsible business in the East of England.

In 2010 Andy founded and was Chairman of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, he has co-authored a book on Lean and Green Business Systems which was awarded the Shingo prize for Operational Excellence in 2013.

He is Non-Executive Chairman of SGWM a wealth management company operating throughout East Anglia and a Non-Executive Director of The Hotel Folk and Roys (Wroxham) Ltd.  Andy is a Board Member of the VisitEngland Advisory Board and is a member of the Council at the University of East Anglia, a Governor of Norwich School and Chairman of Visit East of England.