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Laurence Herbert (right) with Martin Huisman, Chairman of the Awards Jury
The European Marketing Confederation, a partner of the African Marketing Confederation (AMC), has named Laurence Herbert as European Marketer of the Year for 2026.
She is Chief Marketing Officer at Puratos, a Belgium-based international company specialising in innovative food ingredients and services for the bakery, patisserie and chocolate industries. Puratos has a significant and growing presence in Africa, with subsidiaries and local production in key markets including Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa.
The award was presented during the Lithuanian Marketing Association (LiMA) CMO Summit Awards Ceremony held in the city of Vilnius.
Marketing associations from across Europe nominated national champions, with 10 finalists competing for the title. An independent international jury selected Herbert as the winner, based on her strategic leadership and contribution to business transformation and sustainable growth.
Second place went to Marco Greco, Head of Marketing at Ochsner Sport, the largest sports retailer in Switzerland. Third place was awarded to Stijn Mentrop-Huliselan, Chief Marketing Officer at McDonald’s Deutschland LLC in Germany.
“This award celebrates more than professional excellence – it celebrates leadership that shapes the future of business and society,” says Ralf Strauss, Chairman of the EMC.
“Across Europe, marketing has become a driving force behind innovation, digital transformation and sustainable value creation. Laurence Herbert represents this evolution perfectly: she combines strategic intelligence, visionary leadership and business impact at the highest level.”
Adds Martin Huisman, Chairman of the Awards Jury: “This year’s finalists represented the very best of Europe’s marketing profession, making the final decision exceptionally difficult. Laurence distinguished herself through her unique ability to connect brand building, innovation, customer-centricity, and commercial performance. She demonstrates what world-class modern marketing leadership looks like.”
Supported by 14 European marketing associations, the initiative highlights the role of marketing in driving growth and shaping future leadership.
Formation of the World Marketing Council
The European Marketing Confederation, African Marketing Confederation and Asia Marketing Federation last year formed the World Marketing Council.
“We are internationalising the AMC to put African marketing professionals well and truly on the global stage by sharing and networking,” commented AMC President, Helen McIntee-Carlisle, at the time of the announcement.
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