Duncan Phillips

Driving Branded Revenue Growth & Margin Expansion | Chief Marketing Officer | Chief Growth Officer | PE & Transformation | Advisor | Select Interim and Freelance Mandates

United Kingdom

About

"Transforming consumer brands in to commercial growth engines" Chief Growth Officer / CMO, with 20+ years’ experience driving revenue growth, margin expansion and enterprise transformation across global consumer businesses. In addition to permanent leadership roles, supports organisations through select advisory, consultancy, freelance and interim mandates. Focused on rapid diagnostic, strategic reset and delivery of measurable revenue and EBITDA impact. Proven track record leading €1bn+ portfolios across 80+ markets, with P&L accountability for delivering sustained growth, profitability and strategic transformation. Combining brand leadership with strong commercial discipline—aligning pricing, portfolio strategy, channel development and operating models to unlock performance. Recognised for transforming brands into commercial growth engines, delivering step-change results through revenue growth management, innovation, digital and AI-enabled marketing ecosystems, and end-to-end go-to-market execution. Experienced in leading complex, matrixed organisations and building high-performing teams aligned behind clear commercial priorities.

Experience

  • Independent Consultant and Senior business advisor at Self-employed
    Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    Transforming global consumer brands into commercial growth engines. Advisor to consumer goods organisations. Open to permanent leadership, advisory and select interim mandates.

  • Essity (13 yrs 9 mos)
    • Vice President. Global Baby and Feminine care
      Jan 2019 - Dec 2025 · 7 yrs

      Lead the global strategy, innovation, brand building and sustainability agenda for a €1.8bn+ international portfolio across Baby, Feminine Care and Leakproof Apparel. Accountable for category P&L, growth strategy, and capability development across 90+ markets. Brands under leadership include Libresse, Bodyform, Saba, Nosotras, Nana, Nuvenia, Libra, Libero, Knix and Modibodi — market-leading brands in Europe, Latin America, and APAC. Delivered sustained growth (>7% CAGR), strengthened global category leadership, and shaped M&A and innovation programmes that redefined Essity’s growth model.

    • Global Category Director
      Sep 2015 - Dec 2018 · 3 yrs 4 mos

      Led the global strategy, innovation, and brand equity agenda for Essity’s €1bn+ Bathroom Tissue category and consumer tissue master brand portfolio. Accountable for growth strategy, global positioning, and innovation pipeline across multiple markets. Directed brand development for leading European and global tissue brands — Cushelle, Lotus, Zewa and Regio — delivering category growth, innovation-led premiumisation, and strengthened market leadership. Partnered with regional teams to align brand strategy, sustainability initiatives, and commercial priorities within one cohesive global framework.

    • Global Brand Director
      Apr 2012 - Sep 2015 · 3 yrs 6 mos

      Built and led the global team driving strategy, innovation and brand communication for Essity’s rapidly expanding Feminine Care business. Defined global category vision, innovation roadmap and brand purpose to accelerate growth across mature and emerging markets. Scaled the portfolio into the fastest-growing brand in global intimate care, achieving leadership in Latin America, Malaysia and rapid growth in Europe, MEA, Australia . Pioneered digital and sustainability-led innovation platforms that redefined category growth.

  • SCA Hygiene Products (5 yrs 4 mos)
    • European Marketing Director
      Feb 2009 - Apr 2012 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Led the strategy, innovation and communication agenda for Essity’s €1bn+ TENA brand across both Consumer and Healthcare channels in Europe. Accountable for brand equity, portfolio strategy, and innovation pipeline serving diverse customer segments and market dynamics. Delivered category growth, strengthened market leadership and advanced the brand’s purpose-driven positioning through integrated marketing, digital activation and innovation aligned with health and sustainability priorities.

    • Marketing Director UK & Eire
      Jan 2007 - Jan 2009 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      Led a team of 12 to deliver the brand, customer marketing and retailer partnership strategy for Essity’s Personal Care portfolio across the UK & Ireland. Accountable for full P&L delivery and category growth across feminine care, baby and incontinence brands, as well as retailer-branded portfolios. Drove integrated brand plans combining consumer insight, innovation and retail activation to strengthen market share and profitability.

  • Group Brand Manager: Burtons foods (Private Equity backed) at Burton's Biscuit Company
    Mar 2004 - Dec 2006 · 2 yrs 10 mos

    Led the marketing team to deliver brand and commercial objectives for Cadbury and Jammie Dodgers biscuit portfolios. Drove brand growth and profitability in a dynamic, private-equity-backed environment through innovation, brand repositioning and close collaboration with sales and category teams. Strengthened retailer partnerships and revitalised heritage brands to deliver sustainable value creation.

  • Unilever (UK)
    • Innovation Manager
      Jun 2003 - Mar 2004 · 10 mos

      Led cross-functional teams to deliver radical & close to home NPD for PG tips.

    • Senior Brand Manager
      Feb 2000 - May 2003 · 3 yrs 4 mos

      Responsible for full marketing mix planning, development and implementation for cooking sauce portfolio with brands including Knorr Chicken Tonight and Knorr Sizzle & Stir.