Michele Oliver

Global VP - Corporate Brand & Purpose, Mars

Michele is responsible for Mars UK’s full marketing mix budget including Brand Marketing , Media & Digital, Customer marketing , Research & Insights . She also has Global brand responsibilities & leads the board’s focus on Diversity & Inclusion.

Michele has a strong track record of delivering growth & building highly engaged teams. She recently lead the transformation of the capabilities in digital media & customer orientation in her department. Under her leadership Mars has 5 of the top 10 brands in the category & is launching its first new brand for over 15 years.

As a board member Michele has been central to setting the strategic direction of the £1BN business, shifting resources to new areas of growth , embracing the new Digital world of media/commerce & leading the efforts on creating a more inclusive business. As a result the last two years have seen strong financial results , exceeding targets, at both the top and bottom line.

Michele is passionate & active in the industry in championing D&I in communications & teams. She is a regular speaker at industry events ( recently Media 360, Cannes Festival & IPA events) to show the business case for diversity. She has co-hosted two industry round tables on the topic. Internally she has established marketing apprenticeships for teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds to foster talent & diversity.

Her career spans Global, regional & local roles in marketing as well as time spent in strategy & sustainability.

In 2017 she was named Marketer of the Year by The Drum, nominated as Marketer of the year by Marketing Society & Marketing Week and celebrated as a Woman to Watch by Adage.
She is also:
– Executive Committee Member UNWomen #unstereotype alliance.
– Member Government /Business Leaders Group for Disability Confident
– Advisory Board member Gaystarnews
– NED The Marketing Society