Ilja Rijnen

I am a global people and transformation executive with 20 years of experience across GEA, Suntory, Edrington, Diageo and IKEA. I have led regional HR across APAC, including China and India, and global talent and leadership agendas covering more than 5,500 employees.

I help leadership teams turn strategy into an organisation capable of delivering it. My expertise includes organisation design, international expansion, leadership-team effectiveness, talent and succession, culture, HR operating models and complex cross-border transformation. I bring independent challenge, practical judgment and experience operating across different markets, cultures and stages of organisational maturity.

I would add most value to growth-stage, internationally expanding or transforming companies that need to strengthen their leadership, organisation and people infrastructure without adding unnecessary corporate complexity. I am particularly relevant to international industrial, consumer, food and beverage, and professional-services businesses operating across Europe and APAC.