Richard (Jillo) Jillings
About Richard (Jillo) Jillings
Richard (Jillo) Jillings serves as the Area Director for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands at Brown-Forman, a position he has held since 2011. With over three decades of experience in the beverage alcohol industry, he has held key roles at Lion and Brown-Forman, and actively contributes to Spirits NZ as a governing executive member.
Work at Brown-Forman
Richard Jillings has been with Brown-Forman since 2000, initially serving as Area Manager for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands until 2011. He currently holds the position of Area Director for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, a role he has maintained since 2011. His responsibilities include overseeing business operations and strategy within the region, focusing on sales and distributor partnerships.
Previous Experience at Lion
Before joining Brown-Forman, Richard Jillings worked at Lion (New Zealand Wines & Spirits Ltd) for 19 years, from 1981 to 2000. He held the position of National Sales Manager during his tenure, where he contributed to the company's sales strategies and market presence in the beverage alcohol sector.
Industry Involvement and Leadership
Richard Jillings has a significant presence in the beverage alcohol industry. He has served as Chairman and is currently an active governing executive member of Spirits NZ, the national trade organization for New Zealand's premium spirits producers and distributors. His involvement reflects his commitment to industry development and advocacy.
Education and Expertise
Richard Jillings possesses extensive experience in the beverage alcohol industry, with a focus on business strategy, sales management, and marketing. His expertise encompasses route-to-market strategies and building distributor partnerships, which are critical for success in the competitive beverage sector.
Professional Attributes
Richard is recognized as a positive self-starter and an experienced leader within the beverage alcohol industry. His diverse roles have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the market, enabling him to effectively guide teams and drive business success.