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In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, we’re joined by Alex Barsley, General Manager at AB World Foods, whose path into commercial leadership proves there’s no such thing as a “typical” sales and marketing career.

Growing up in Shropshire in the UK, Alex was raised between two very different professional influences - a father working on a dairy farm and a mother in sales. That blend of work ethic and commercial instinct would quietly shape her future.

After studying at university in Cardiff and spending time in Toronto, Canada, Alex qualified as a teacher. But when she returned home to find there were no teaching jobs available, she pivoted - taking her first role in sales, selling sweets out of the boot of her car.

What followed wasn’t a traditional route through brand management or classic marketing roles. Instead, Alex built a broad commercial toolkit: working in revenue management, supporting mergers and acquisitions, leading SAP system rollouts, and managing field sales controllers. Each move expanded her perspective and capability - ultimately leading to her current role as General Manager.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why “falling into” sales can be the start of something big
• The value of cross-functional experience in building commercial leadership
• How revenue management sharpens strategic thinking
• What operational projects (like SAP rollouts and M&A) teach you about business
• Why there’s no single blueprint for a successful career in sales and marketing

If you’ve ever worried that your background doesn’t look textbook enough, Alex’s story is a powerful reminder that diverse experience can be your greatest advantage.

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In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, we sit down with Briar Keenan, Commercial Excellence Leader at Big Rocks Ltd, to explore what it really means to build a career on your own terms.

Originally from New Zealand, Briar grew up surrounded by tourism destinations, nature, and ski fields - eventually settling in Queenstown. With parents working in tourism and hospitality, her upbringing was grounded in service, resilience, and adaptability.

But her career didn’t begin in sales or marketing.

Briar studied Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Canterbury, developing deep skills in problem-solving, modelling, and processing complex data. By the end of her degree, she had developed a strong interest in sustainability - a theme that would continue to shape her thinking. After two years working in tech, she made the move into FMCG, starting in Demand Planning at Unilever.

From there, she built a multi-functional career across major global businesses including Diageo, gaining experience across planning, commercial, and strategy roles. Today, she’s carving out a portfolio career in commercial excellence consulting and contracting - stepping beyond the traditional corporate path to create something more flexible, impactful, and aligned to her strengths.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How an engineering mindset can be a superpower in sales and marketing
• The value of cross-functional experience in FMCG
• What “commercial excellence” actually means in practice
• What it really looks like to go out on your own
• The risks, realities, and rewards of building a portfolio career

If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s an alternative to the corporate ladder - or how to future-proof your commercial career - this episode offers an honest and practical perspective.

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In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, we sit down with Glen Scarlett, Commercial Director at Pernod Ricard Australia, to explore a career journey that proves there’s no single path to success in sales and marketing.

Growing up in Lowestoft, a small seaside town in England, Glen was certain from the age of 10 that he wanted to join the police force. But when his application was denied and he was told to go and gain “life experiences,” it set him on an entirely different trajectory. Rather than chasing a traditional career ladder, Glen chased experiences - leading him into hospitality, the liquor industry, and even teaching English as a foreign language in Sydney, followed by an extended stint in Cambodia.

It wasn’t until his 30s that Glen began his corporate career, joining Suntory as an account manager. Over six years, he built the commercial foundations that would eventually take him to Pernod Ricard, where he now leads at the highest level in Australia.

In this conversation, Glen shares:

• Why chasing experiences can be more powerful than chasing titles
• The transferable skills hospitality builds for a sales career
• How starting “later” can actually be a competitive advantage
• What it really takes to move from account management to commercial leadership
• Advice for anyone unsure about their next career move

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring sales and marketing professionals who feel pressure to have it all figured out. Glen’s story is a powerful reminder that diverse experiences, resilience, and curiosity can be your greatest career assets.

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In this special Talent Wrap episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, Andrew and Ben look ahead to 2026 and unpack what’s next for sales and marketing professionals.

From evolving hiring trends to shifting employer expectations, they share their predictions on how the talent market is set to change - and what that means for both businesses and individuals. The conversation explores the broader market forces shaping recruitment, including economic conditions, business confidence, skills shortages, and the growing demand for adaptability in commercial roles.

Andrew and Ben also dive into how career pathways are evolving, what high-performing candidates will need to stand out, and how organisations can position themselves to attract and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive landscape.

If you’re hiring, job hunting, or simply planning your next career move, this episode offers practical insight into what 2026 could hold - and how to get ahead of it.

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Back by popular demand - our review of the [axr] 2026 Salary Guide! 

In this episode, Andrew Cannock & Ben Carnegie give you a deep dive into our latest salary guide, including: 

• What to expect from Sales, Marketing, Category and Commercial Excellence roles in 2026
• Market trends and industry insights 
• What the numbers mean
• What we are looking for as recruiters when recruiting these roles and how we refer back to this guide  
• Role scope and in-demand skills for each role type 
• How to level up in your career and make great career decisions

It's a great listen, so tune in now, and don't forget to download our 2026 salary guide here: https://www.axr.com.au/salary-guides

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In this AXR How-To Series special of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, we flip the recruitment lens and speak directly to hiring managers. Mike is joined by Beth Holgate, Ben Carnegie, and Andrew Cannock, this episode breaks down how to get the most out of your recruitment process - whether you’re hiring for the first time or looking to level up your approach.

The conversation covers the fundamentals of recruiting well, from getting the basics right and building a clear hiring brief, to stepping up your process as roles become more senior or specialised. The team share practical insights on working effectively with specialist recruiters, running structured and meaningful interviews, and delivering candidate feedback that’s timely, constructive, and human.

The episode also dives into one of the most delicate stages of hiring: negotiating the offer. You’ll learn how to balance commercial realities with candidate expectations, while protecting both your employer brand and long-term retention.

Packed with real-world advice and actionable tips, this episode is essential listening for sales and marketing leaders who want to hire better, faster, and with confidence.

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In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, Mike is joined by Beth Holgate and Ben Carnegie of the Sales and Marketing team at AXR, for another special episode of the How to series. 

We cover how to build a strong, results-driven resume that highlights your skills and impact, and how to effectively use LinkedIn to grow your personal brand, expand your network, and attract opportunities. You’ll learn how to work strategically with recruiters, what they look for in candidates, and how to make yourself recruiter-ready.

The episode also walks through how to prepare for interviews, as well as how to approach and succeed in case studies. Finally, we discuss how to confidently negotiate a job offer, ensuring you understand your value and secure the best possible outcome.

This episode is your roadmap to turning ambition into action and setting yourself up for long-term success.

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In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, Mike is joined by fellow co-host Andrew Cannock, for another special episode of the How to series. 

In this episode, Mike and Andrew share insights to help you make great career decisions. You’ll hear actionable advice on navigating early career choices, making smart transitions, and avoiding common pitfalls that can stall growth.

Whether you’re a student, a career switcher, or a professional planning your next move, this episode offers clear guidance to help you build a career that’s both fulfilling and resilient.

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In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, Mike is joined by Nick Constain, Host of From Go to CFO for a special episode of the How to series. 

Mike and Nick break down the real-world strategies behind getting promoted. From demonstrating value beyond your job description to navigating conversations with leadership, they share practical advice, personal experiences, and actionable steps listeners can apply immediately. 

Whether you’re aiming for your next title or simply want to position yourself for growth, this episode offers a straightforward guide to standing out and moving your career forward. 

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In this episode, we sit down with James Deysel, Marketing Director of SnackBrands, to explore a career built on resilience, values, and strategic growth. Raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, James shares how his early life shaped a strong sense of fairness, justice, and hard work - principles that helped him earn a full university scholarship and set the foundation for his professional journey.

James takes us through his academic path at the University of Johannesburg, where he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, and into his early career juggling full-time work and part-time postgraduate studies. Starting on the front lines as a field sales representative at Clover, he provides insight into how hands-on sales experience sharpened his commercial instincts before progressing into an assistant brand manager role.

The conversation then follows James’ move to Mars Petcare, where he broadened his marketing expertise across a global organization, eventually leading to an international relocation to Australia. Now a Marketing Director, James reflects on the skills, mindset, and career decisions that enabled his growth across markets and roles.

This episode offers aspiring sales and marketing professionals practical lessons on starting from the ground up, leveraging education and values, and embracing global opportunities to shape a future-focused career.