AIGBEME OKONKWO
Milton Keynes,United Kingdom
Summary
Strategic marketing leader with expertise in portfolio strategy, innovation, integrated marketing communication, driving impactful results through cross-functional leadership in matrix organisations. Proven ability to influence stakeholders and board-level decision-making while building capabilities across markets. Skilled in leveraging consumer insights to create impactful campaigns. Adept at P&L ownership and margin accretion. Committed to fostering sustainable growth by aligning business objectives with market demands.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work history
Guinness Global Marketing Manager
Diageo GB
London
2021.11 - 2026.02
- Global strategic lead responsible for connecting brand strategy with execution across high-growth and developed markets.
- Co-shaped portfolio strategy for Guinness variants across Africa, APAC and CCA, aligning global ambition with local commercial realities.
- Partnered with Consumer Planning and Finance to ensure innovation concepts met commercial viability thresholds and scalability standards.
- Built repeatable activation toolkits enabling consistent execution across multiple markets with differing regulatory and trade landscapes.
- Lead senior stakeholder alignment across global, regional and market teams.
- Operate effectively in ambiguity, balancing speed, simplification and governance.
Marketing Manager, Premium Spirits & Reserve
Guinness Nigeria Plc
Lagos
2018.01 - 2021.06
- Marketing leader responsible for premium spirits & reserve portfolio strategy and long-term growth agenda.
- Defined multi-year portfolio strategy and innovation pipeline for Premium Spirits in Nigeria.
- Launched global innovations including White Walker by Johnnie Walker & Singleton, embedding disciplined launch frameworks.
- Led cross-functional commercial planning across marketing, sales, finance and supply.
- Built capability within brand team, coaching and developing future leaders.
Marketing & Shopper Lead, West Africa
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc
Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia
2016.07 - 2017.12
- Regional portfolio lead across Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia.
- Designed and directed brand and shopper strategy across Wellness, Oral Care and Nutrition categories.
- Built rolling 3-year innovation pipeline aligned to regional growth priorities.
- Managed cross-country execution standards and activation consistency.
Group Product Manager – Functional Beverages
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc
Lagos, Nigeria
2015.01 - 2016.06
- Assisted with P&L responsibilities for Lucozade and Ribena portfolios comprising 36 SKUs.
- Drove efforts to drive gross margin improvements through SKU optimisation and effective cost management.
- Delivered shift in consumer perception of Lucozade from an energy drink for sick people to a trendy alternative offering healthier glucose energy than regular caffeinated drinks.
- Shaped strategy that built Ribena into the leading lunch box packed juice in Nigeria.
Brand Manager, Guinness
Guinness Nigeria Plc
2012.10 - 2014.06
- Led brand growth strategy across consumer, trade and pricing levers.
- Partnered with Sales and Planning to implement price tracking and compliance frameworks.
- Developed creative marketing campaigns to enhance brand visibility and grow penetration.
Education
Executive MBA - Business Administration
Lagos Business School
B.Sc. - Microbiology
University of Lagos
Professional Diploma - Marketing
Chartered Institute of Marketing
Mastering Digital Marketing
London Business School
United Kingdom 2001.04 -
Skills
Marketing strategy development
- Brand management and innovation
- Market expansion initiatives
- Cross-regional campaign execution
- Customer engagement strategies
Skills
- Portfolio Strategy & Prioritisation
- Innovation Governance & Commercialisation
- Multi-Market Execution Standards
- Cross-Functional Leadership in Matrix Organisations
- P&L Ownership & Margin Accretion
- Supply & Route-to-Market Collaboration
- On-Trade / Off-Trade / Convenience Strategy
- Stakeholder & Board-Level Influence
- Capability Building Across Markets
Affiliations
- I enjoy reading books-history, bios, etc. Music moves my soul and I enjoy a mix of both old and new. Cooking dishes from different parts of the world is how I relax. I run a tik tok recipe page with over 12k followers where I post fun recipes. I love travelling to new places and exploring new cultures.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Guinness Global Marketing Manager
Diageo GB
2021.11 - 2026.02
Marketing Manager, Premium Spirits & Reserve
Guinness Nigeria Plc
2018.01 - 2021.06
Marketing & Shopper Lead, West Africa
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc
2016.07 - 2017.12
Group Product Manager – Functional Beverages
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc
2015.01 - 2016.06
Brand Manager, Guinness
Guinness Nigeria Plc
2012.10 - 2014.06
Mastering Digital Marketing
London Business School
2001.04 -
B.Sc. - Microbiology
University of Lagos
Executive MBA - Business Administration
Lagos Business School
Professional Diploma - Marketing
Chartered Institute of Marketing