2024 Judges - Ilja Rijnen

2024 JUDGE'S PROFILE

Ilja Rijnen

Senior Director, Global Learning & Leadership

Suntory Global Spirits

Ilja served as the Director, Global Learning & Leadership for Suntory Global Spirits, a world leader in premium spirits with flagship brands including Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek bourbons, Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu Japanese whiskies, as well as world renown premium brands such as Laphroaig, Teacher’s and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Roku, Larios and Sipsmith gins and Haku vodka.

In this position, in line with the company’s strategic Global Talent & Development agenda, he is responsible for the company’s Global Learning and Change initiatives.

Ilja originally joined Beam Suntory in December 2017 as Regional HR Director of the Emerging Asia Leadership Team and functionally reported to the Regional President based in Singapore and the VP of International Human Resources based in Madrid, Spain. In April 2019, Ilja became the HR Director for Asia Pacific and Global Travel Retail, and in January 2021, HR International, EX, Learning & Change. Before joining Beam, Suntory Ilja gained significant HR experience through Edrington Asia Pacific and Diageo in South East Asia as Director and Head of HR. Before his roles in Asia, Ilja was the HR BP for Diageo’s Red Stripe Lager, Guinness & spirits business in Jamaica and Latin America. He started his HR career as L&D Manager for the IKEA Group in the Benelux and Great Britain.