Ronnie Greenwood

We have alumni all over the world who have gone on to achieve great things. From a New York Times bestselling author to a Scottish international rugby star, they inspire future generations every day. Today, we spotlight Ronnie Greenwood, Nike’s former Vice President of Global Key City Activation.

After graduating from one of Glasgow Caledonian University’s founding institutes, the Glasgow College of Technology, Ronnie applied to work at globally-recognised brand Mars.

Initially rejected, he later found success after gaining experience in an industrial paint company, proudly noting his “BA (Hons) Business Studies” on his business card.

He gave the Mars application another go and, this time, got in. Ronnie's determination propelled him to take on top-level positions at world-famous brands throughout his career.

Ronnie spent nearly a decade working across various Mars-owned companies within the UK, including Pedigree and Masterfoods, before becoming Marketing Director for Mars in Prague.

“To succeed in Mars, they believed in obtaining three “inters” - interdepartment, intercompany, international,” he says.

“They believed a good foundation across many areas was more important than a deep foundation in one. I’d never worked in marketing, so I asked to change departments and countries and I got it, staying there for four years.”

Ronnie then moved to Tokyo to be their Dog Marketing Manager (his favourite career title) and was promoted to Marketing Director of all Mars products in Japan before leaving to work for equally famous brand, Nike.

While at Nike, Ronnie lived in the Netherlands, France, and the United States, advancing through senior roles including Nike France’s General Manager and Hurley’s Chief Operating Officer.

His final role as Nike’s Vice President of Global Key City Activation saw Ronnie collaborate with teams across 10 countries across major cities from Berlin and New York to Beijing and Milan.

Throughout his impressive global career, Ronnie says impostor syndrome was present.

“People took risks on me. To this day, I put on LinkedIn they must have got me mixed up with somebody else as there’s no way they should have picked me to do that job, but I’m glad they did,” he says.

However, he also stresses the importance of backing yourself.

“Take some chances and work hard. Be comfortable in your own ability. You don’t have to diminish yourself to do some job. You do have to look at yourself and say, ‘I got this for the right reasons.’”

Now back in his hometown of Ayr, Ronnie has taken his business expertise into the charity sector, where he helps run Scotland-based charities Musical and Centre Stage, which help those from disadvantaged backgrounds express themselves through performing arts.