Global Marketing Leadership Experience
About Stephen Taylor
Over the past three decades, I’ve helped some of the world’s most recognisable brands transform their marketing strategies and fuel growth.
My early career was shaped at Gillette and Procter & Gamble, before moving into senior leadership roles at PayPal, Samsung, Nokia and Pizza Express.
Along the way, I completed my MBA at Chicago Booth and led teams of more than 100 marketers across global regions.
Today, after three decades leading marketing for global brands, I work with CEOs, founders and senior marketing leaders as a strategic advisor.
My focus is helping organisations clarify strategy, strengthen marketing leadership and translate ambition into sustainable growth.
Why I help leaders navigate marketing complexity
Turning point
My success came at a cost. The demands of high-profile roles, constant travel, and the pressure to balance work and family took their toll.
My health declined, stress mounted, and I realised I was heading down a dangerous path. Approaching the age my father had passed away at 51, I knew something had to change.
Rebuilding from inside out
I made the decision to prioritise my own well-being. Through personal development, focused training, and lifestyle changes, I transformed not just my health but my mindset.
The result? Renewed energy, clarity, and the resilience to lead with greater focus than ever before.
Where coaching fits
Today, through CMO Thrive, I want to help aspiring and current CMOs strengthen their leadership skills while building healthier, more balanced lives.
My unique approach blends boardroom experience with a commitment to personal well-being, because great leadership starts with a strong foundation.
“My mission is simple: to help marketing leaders navigate complexity and perform at their best.”
Stephen Taylor
Still in the Arena
I’m not the one who left the game years ago. I remain an active strategic advisor and former global CMO.
That means my advising and coaching are always grounded in the realities of leading modern marketing teams, not just theory or old war stories.
A whole-leader approach to advisory
My transformation wasn’t just personal; it became professional. To bring greater structure and perspective to the work I do with senior leaders, I trained and qualified as both a certified coach and a Level 3 certified personal trainer.
Why? Because I believe leadership performance is built on more than strategy and technical skills, it is fuelled by physical energy, mental clarity and resilience. By combining decades of global marketing leadership with formal training in performance and well-being, I bring a broader perspective to advising leaders navigating complex roles.
