The Marketing Academy Fellowship is designed to help CMOs transition into CEO roles and broader C-suite positions.
The Marketing Academy has launched its 2026 Global Fellowship Programme, consolidating its EMEA, US and APAC schemes into two international cohorts.
Now in its 13th year, the executive development programme has supported more than 380 CMOs across 28 countries, with alumni progressing into CEO and broader C-suite roles at companies including Amazon, Unilever, Cisco, Diageo, Mars, IBM and Microsoft.
A recent survey found 57% of former Fellows had moved into CEO or C-suite roles, while 32% stepped into larger CMO positions.
Delivered in partnership with McKinsey & Company and supported by Salesforce, TikTok and The Brandtech Group, the Fellowship combines board-level mentoring, coaching and masterclasses.
The 2026 cohorts will each get the opportunity to take part in two four-day residentials and one virtual session. Locations include Austria, Sydney, Mumbai and either London or New York.
Applications are open to CMOs and growth leaders worldwide, with places capped at 60. The deadline for the first cohort is 3 November 2025, and 30 March 2026 for cohort two.
The 30 marketers who graduated the class of 2025 are:
Adesuwa Osewa, associate director, Word on the Curb
Alex Jardine, senior brand marketing manager EMEA, Subway
Barbara Agatha Piras, global head of digital marketing, TUI Group
Bonita Samuels, inclusive planning and culture lead, senior associate director, Essence MediaCom
Camilla Eden-Davies, group commercial marketing director, Little Dot Studios
Cherry Tian, head of marketing, Workspace Group
Chris Davis-Coward, director, head of consumer marketing, Lloyds Banking Group
Claire Bullock, client partner, PHD
Cordelia Linacre-Brown, European brand director – Maltesers & Skittles, Mars
Dan Caven, head of media, Virgin Money
Danielle Ruggles, marketing manager, KFC UKI
Emma Paxton, marketing manager – Cadbury, Mondelez
Emma Price, director of marketing and communications, Cambrionix
Freddie Lister, head of customer acquisition, Pharmacy2u and Lloyds Pharmacy
Hayley Dodd, head of integrated marketing, partnerships and PR, HMD
Jack Richards, global head of integrated and field marketing, Onclusive
James Wallis, head of content marketing and distribution, NatWest Group
Jordan McDowell, strategy director, McCann Manchester
Kate Rossiter, head of marketing for scripted programming, UKTV
Kelly Atkins, head of digital marketing, BT Business
Liz Wells, customer and insight director, Greene King
Majken Nielsen, senior director, Northern Europe marketing leader, Salesforce
Mike O’Donoghue, global senior marketing manager – Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Asahi Europe and International
Mike Thorne, marketing transformation senior manager, Accenture Song
Oliver Lester, senior marketing consultant, Direct Line Group
Osasere Aimiuwu, brand manager, Carlsberg Britvic
Pooja ParasuRaman, head of brand strategy and experience, Bazaarvoice
Tish House, head of marketing, new digital propositions, ITV
Vicky McNamara, vice-president of marketing, Workday
Will Martin, head of marketing (broadcasting), News UK
Sherilyn Shackell, founder and global CEO of The Marketing Academy, says: “The Global Fellowship has always been about preparing CMOs for the biggest roles in the C-suite. By uniting leaders from every continent into two powerful cohorts, we’re reducing barriers, expanding perspectives and creating an environment where marketing leaders can truly accelerate into the top role.”
Applications can be made via The Marketing Academy website.
