In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Sébastien Deneux, a strategic business development leader at Unilever, specializing in the ice cream category across Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Sébastien shares with us his unique career journey—from consulting on Dutch flower exports to embracing a sales role at Unilever that challenged and shaped his understanding of customer and consumer needs. They explore the idea of learning from “people a bit like me, but better”—a humble, powerful framework for growth and mentorship.

From archetypes and lover brands to the evolving role of digital, UGC and community-led storytelling, this episode is rich with real examples—from Magnum and Ben & Jerry’s to McDonald’s and beyond.

Sébastien also reveals how his external board roles keep his perspective fresh, feeding back into his work at Unilever and why he believes the “triple win” of consumer, customer and company success is key to sustainable business growth.

Tune in for insights on career growth, the magic of ice cream innovation and the power of curiosity and fun in building a meaningful and impactful career.