Welcome back to The Business Besties Club: the podcast where real, unfiltered conversations meet business strategy and inspiration.

What can small businesses learn from a five-time Marketer of the Year who’s led some of the UK’s most iconic brands?

In this inspiring episode of The Business Besties Club, Katie sits down with Pete Markey, former Chief Marketing Officer at Boots, with an impressive career spanning senior leadership roles at TSB, Aviva, the Post Office, and beyond.

Pete has been recognised repeatedly as one of the UK’s top marketing leaders, but what sets him apart is his down-to-earth approach, passion for mentorship, and belief that marketing should make a real difference—not just for brands, but for people.

We dive into:

How Pete worked his way up from the ground floor to CMO

The timeless marketing principles every business (big or small) should master

Building confidence and strategy when you’re growing your brand

Why leadership and diversity matter more than ever in business today

Whether you’re a start-up founder, a growing small business, or just love honest conversations about leadership and marketing, this episode is packed with wisdom, humour, and practical advice you can put into action today.

Hit play to hear what big-brand brilliance can teach small business owners—and why marketing success starts with knowing your customer and believing in yourself.

Connect with Pete:

Instagram: petemarkeycmo

TikTok: pete.markey.cmo