Episode 126: Donna Oakley-Davies | Purpose, People, and the Power of Food

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with Donna Oakley-Davies, a seasoned marketing leader whose journey from the rolling hills of Wiltshire to the boardrooms of global FMCG brands is nothing short of inspiring.Originally from a small village near Westbury - famous for its iconic White Horse - Donna shares how her rural upbringing, love of the outdoors, and strong family values shaped her grounded yet ambitious approach to leadership. With a father who was a cabinet maker and a mother who worked as a secretary, Donna’s early life instilled in her a strong work ethic and appreciation for craftsmanship and detail - qualities that have carried through her marketing career.A private school education opened doors to new opportunities, and while Donna once dreamed of representing England in hockey, her passion for teamwork and performance eventually led her to pursue Food Management at Bournemouth University. From there, she launched her career with Marks & Spencer, laying the foundations for what would become a dynamic trajectory across the FMCG sector.Donna reflects on her early roles at United Biscuits, where she developed a deep understanding of consumer behavior, and her later position as Chief of Staff to the European CEO at Heinz, which gave her a front-row seat to global strategy, innovation, and leadership at scale.Now leading marketing and customer strategy at FoodCo, Donna discusses the evolving expectations of today’s consumer, the balance between creativity and data in modern marketing, and how her journey continues to be shaped by curiosity, resilience, and purpose.Tune in to hear how Donna’s experiences - from sports fields to boardrooms - offer valuable lessons for anyone aspiring to build a meaningful and future-ready career in sales and marketing.