IPA names Sainsbury’s Mark Given as Chair of CPD Gold judges

Celebrating exceptional professional development in agencies

Sainsbury’s Chief Marketing, Data & Sustainability Officer Mark Given has been appointed as Chair of Judges for 2024 IPA CPD Gold Accreditation.

Now in its seventeenth year, IPA CPD Gold Accreditation rewards agencies for their exceptional professional development programmes, and outstanding investment in the development and wellbeing of their employees.

Given and the judging panel will examine CPD Gold submissions and honour those that demonstrate a genuine culture of learning, bettering the professionalism, development and reputation of the industry and enhancing clients’ brands and agencies’ worth as a result.

Says Mark Given, Chief Marketing, Data & Sustainability Officer, Sainsbury’s: "I am thrilled to be chairing this year’s CPD Gold panel. The business case for investing in people is strengthened by these outstanding examples of CPD effectiveness, and innovation. My fellow panellists and I are eager to hear these inspiring stories and celebrate the impact of continuous professional development."

Given will be joined by a panel of talent experts and L&D champions:

  • Matthew Cook, co-Founder, company culture consultancy, theSHIFT
  • Anna Donaghey, CPD Consultant & Mindset Coach
  • Halima Khan, HR Director, JourneyHR
  • Kelly Knight, Founder and CEO, Opportunity Rocks HR
  • Bruce Macrae, Founder, Medianetwork
  • Rob Varcoe, Owner, Coach and Trainer, Rob Varcoe Consulting
  • Tanya Whitehead, Founding People Consultant, TalentWise Consulting

Says Sarah Vickerstaff, Head of Member Services, IPA: “We are so pleased with our panel lineup. Mark, Matthew, Anna, Halima, Kelly, Bruce, Rob and Tanya will bring their expertise, vision and passion to the task of assessing CPD Gold entries and recognising the outstanding commitment our agencies make to their people.”

Mark Given biography:

Mark joined the Operating Board in June 2020. He has significant experience in customer insight, brand communication and digital marketing. Mark joined Sainsbury’s in 2012, becoming Marketing Director in 2017. He was appointed Chief Marketing Officer in August 2019 and has responsibility for Marketing & Loyalty across the Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu clothing and Habitat brands. Mark has also been responsible for the Nectar Loyalty coalition and the Nectar360 media business since 2018.

In 2021, Mark assumed responsibility for all Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability activity, including delivery of their Plan for Better targets. Mark is the Operating Board Sponsor for the LGBT+ inclusion lane.

Prior to joining Sainsbury’s, Mark built his digital skills leading the Priority programme at O2, where he was Head of Sponsorship. Before this, Mark worked with key brands at Heineken UK where he was Brand Director. He began his career at Procter & Gamble UK before working across Europe on a variety of brands. Mark is currently a Council Member of the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers (ISBA) and a Fellow of the Marketing Society.

Last updated 04 February 2025