The Marketing Academy unveils its 2026 Scholars

Thirty future marketing leaders will take part in this year’s Scholarship, which aims to help people develop the skills they need to take up senior roles.

The Marketing Academy has revealed the latest cohort of marketing executives selected for its 2026 Scholarship programme.

Now in its 17th year, with more than 1,200 alumni globally, the programme is designed to develop marketers’ skills to prepare them to take on senior leadership roles.

The Scholarship – funded in the UK by partners Salesforce, Accenture Song, Bazaarvoice, BT Group, ITV, KFC, Mars, PHD Media and Workday – sees hundreds of marketers from brands, media owners and agencies compete in a competitive three-stage selection process for just 30 places.

The programme takes place over nine months and combines executive mentoring, leadership development, coaching, and residential bootcamps.

Scholars will also gain entry to The Marketing Academy Virtual Campus, providing ongoing learning opportunities for both participants and their wider teams as part of The Marketing Academy’s global community.

Head of media at Virgin Money and 2025 UK scholar alumni, Daniel Caven, describes the programme as a “total gamechanger”

“The intensity and high calibre of the sessions were exactly what I needed to sharpen my focus and gain a fresh perspective,” he says. “It was a brilliantly immersive experience that has left me feeling genuinely energised and equipped with a much stronger toolkit and new outlook on my career and myself.”

“Every year we are inspired by the calibre, ambition and potential of the individuals who apply for our Scholarship programme and the 2026 cohort is no exception,” Sherilyn Shackell, founder and global CEO of The Marketing Academy, adds.

“The future of our industry depends on developing exceptional leadership and we
are proud to support these talented marketers with the mentorship, learning and community that will help shape the next chapter of their careers.”

The 30 marketers enrolled in the class of 2026 are:

Aina Fuller, associate partner – strategy and marketing, Responsible Marketing Advisory
Alicia Southgate, head of marketing, Tesco
Alison Harper, global head of customer advocacy, Workday
Andy Stern, head of marketing and sales – Sundeals, TUI
Charlotte Dolman, chief client officer, Kindred
Craig Hannan, head of brand and marketing, The Anfield Wrap
Dirujan Sabesan, chief brand officer, Wingstop UKI
Ed Taylor, head of marketing strategy, Lloyds Banking Group
Ethné Twomey, principal consultant, PHD Media
Eve Wright, head of media strategy and paid Media, ITV
Gwen Taylor, head of restaurant brand experience, KFC
Helen Long’a Tongu, acting head of marketing campaigns, The Open University
Holly Higham, global head of ,arketing, Impact
Jade Appleby, director, CRM and player engagement, Bally’s Intralot
Josh Hind, senior manager, base marketing, BT Business
Julie O’Driscoll, senior marketing director, Coty
Kayode Bola, director of partnerships, Hypebeast
Laura McNally, content director, Autotrader
Maddison Vacher, client partnerships director, Barrows Connected Store
Max Kibble, head of category and commercial strategy, Proper Snacks
Michael Brown, senior managing partner, research and insight, UM – OmnicomMedia
Michelle Hurney, head of CRM, retention and loyalty, Wonderskin
Nikki Hayward, marketing director – Selfcare, Reckitt
Rich Miles, CEO, The Diversity Standards Collective
Sabrina Rodriguez, director, field marketing UK&I, Salesforce
Simran Kahlon, head of marketing, Deloitte
Sophia King, head of brand and marketing, Honest Mobile
Tom Parker, head of marketing, Boots
Tumisha Balogun, co-founder, Tag Agency UK
Will Hossner, senior account director, MassiveMusic