Mark Palmer

Former Marketing Director for Green & Black’s Chocolate and Pret a Manger, Mark Palmer is a visionary in global marketing, taking national brands to international heights. Having successfully led major campaigns in the food and drink industry for over twenty five years, Mark has since founded his own ventures and acted as an expert consultant on others wanting to replicate his triumphs. As a keynote speaker, Mark offers an unrivalled knowledge to corporate audiences and individuals, on how to transform their marketing methods.

Gaining his formidable reputation in the industry, Mark was the Green & Black’s Chocolate Marketing Director and later none Executive Director for a decade. Between 2001 and 2011, Mark was responsible for the brand's transition into the global market, leading it to become an industry leader in natural speciality foods in America. Similarly, when Mark became the Marketing Director at Pret a Manger food chain in 2012 he spearheaded the movement in their penetration of the US market, particularly in New York, managing the company’s marketing campaigns across four hundred stores. For his innovative work in the field, Mark was awarded Marketer of the Year 2006 by Marketing Society and Brand of the Year 2016 for his achievements with Pret a Manger.

Starting out in the industry, Mark graduated from the University of Bath with a degree in business administration and management, and took on the role of graduate trainee to the Group Brand Manager at United Biscuits. His early exposure working with global food brands, such as Hula Hoops and McCoy’s, gave Mark a firm foundation setting him up for the illustrious career he would follow.

Recently, Mark has utilised his international recognition and decades of experience to diversify from large corporate environments to small businesses and startups. In 2009 Mark co-founded Cawston Press pressed fruit drinks and in 2017 followed with LA Brewery Kombucha - a fermented drinks company, both of which he is the successful leader of to date. Much of Mark’s time is currently devoted to supporting smaller brands through consultancy and advising on a public platform as an entrepreneurial business and marketing speaker. An undeniable authority in his field, as a speaker Mark Palmer can offer insight and implementable advice on marketing, entrepreneurialism, global business and food and drink. With decades of industry experience, supported by numerous previous keynote engagements, Mark is the ideal speaker for your corporate event.