Martin Glenn is the former CEO of the FA, a role he took up in May 2015 after over 30 years in FMCG.
He made his mark in Marketing and is one of the few CEOs who made it to General Management via the Marketing route.
He strongly believes that more CEOs should have had marketing experience and uses his Presidency of the Marketing Society to advocate this cause.
He has worked both in the UK and continental Europe for large multi-national businesses and has experience of both the corporate world and that of Private Equity owned concerns.
Martin Glenn was the CEO of Birds Eye Iglo Group and the UK and Ireland President of PepsiCo UK. Prior to PepsiCo UK, Martin was President of Walkers Snack Foods, whom he joined in 1992, working his way up from Director of New Product Development, Vice-President of Marketing (where he introduced the on-going Gary Lineker advertising campaign and launched the ‘Doritos Tortilla Chip’ brand) to become Walkers President in 1998, and PepsiCo UK President in 2003.
Once assuming General management positions for Walkers Snacks Ltd and subsequently PepsiCo UK & Ireland, Martin Glenn had full line responsibility for a business approaching $2Bn and strong double digit operating margins.
Enjoying growth rates well in excess of the Food & Drink market, Martin led a business which has posted topline growth of 7% (5 year CAGR) and a doubling of profitability.
PepsiCo take a traditional approach to General Management seeking to empower the field as much as possible with full accountability for P+L, balance sheet, strategic planning and with only R&D being a shared, matrixed function. Martin has had hands on experience of significant acquisitions (in excess of £100m), high profile regulatory work and labour negotiations.
Between 2013 and 2015, Martin was CEO of United Biscuits – a Private Equity backed business. Martin led a turnaround of the company culminating in a highly successful sale to Yildiz Holdings of Turkey in December 2014.
In 2004 he was placed number one on Marketing Magazine’s ranking of influential marketeers in recognition of his business and brand building track record and his leadership role in the highly charged obesity debate. In May 2005 he launched a book/DVD titled The Best Job in the World which tells the story of the rise of the Walkers brand.
Career Achievements:
- 1981-1984 – Cadbury Schweppes – Brand Manager
- 1985-1987 – Marketing Consultant, Deloitte Management Consultancy
- 1988-1992 – Marketing Manager, Cat Food, Pedigree Products
- 1992-2003 – NPD Director to President, Walkers Snack Foods
- 2003-2006 – President, PepsiCo UK
- 2006-2013 – CEO Birds Eye Iglo
- 2013-2015 – CEO United Biscuits
- 2015-2019 – CEO The English Football Association
As a keynote speaker, Martin’s speaking topics include:
- Branding
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Innovative Marketing Strategies
- Leadership
- Turnarounds
