Meet Our Team
Pete Saunders
Pete began his career in sales in the early 80's working for Britain's second largest UK organisation at that time selling in the UK, Europe and the Far East. He also worked in the automotive industry and managed a growing international business before being appointed to the board of a large UK based business aged 34 in 1996 to head up sales and marketing, a role, which saw him, take responsibility for sales and marketing of the company's products on a worldwide basis.
Over the next 4 years the company trebled it's sales whilst at the same time downsizing the sales and distribution team by 65% in an industry growing at only 2% per annum. During this period he was appointed Managing Director of 3 of the group's subsidiary companies based in Paris, Dusseldorf and Zurich respectively.
His business experience is wide and varied and involved leading truly international teams across many countries as well as delivering sales growth. He has delivered talks and speeches to audiences in over 50 countries including China, Japan, Australasia, USA as well as all main European countries.
In 2000 he set up Top Banana Team www.topbananateam.com along with his co directors they have built a highly successful sales incentive, conference and events organisation.
In January 2006 Top Banana Team merged its training division with Fruitful Developments to create a training organisation with greater resource and capability. Pete and his co-director Ed Craven-Smith joined George Blakeway on the board of Fruitful Developments at the same time.
Pete is a member of the Institute of Directors and the Institute of Sales and Marketing where he delivers seminars across the country to sales directors, sales managers and sales staff on behalf of the Institute. He regularly speaks at National Conferences as well as delivers training for a select client base in industries ranging from Healthcare to IT. He regularly coaches directors of other businesses on improving themselves and their business.
Ultimately Pete believes strongly in continual self-improvement, especially for himself, as well as maintaining a healthy work/ life balance – it’s not all about the destination, you must enjoy the journey too!
Pete's interests include having fun with his family as well as watching and taking part in many sports. Currently enjoying playing golf, cricket and 5-a-side football – providing a laugh for any spectators.