Jan-Erik Raiha
Background
- Jan-Erik Raiha is based in Scandinavia and has extensive knowledge and experience of operating brands in Sweden, Finland, Norway the Baltic region, following a distinguished career in the wine, spirit and tourism industries. Jan-Erik began his career with three years at a Finnish cruise line, Viking Line, where he built the sales structure and distribution network throughout Finland and developed new business channels.
- Jan-Erik then entered the wine and spirits industry with Hiram Walker & Sons (later Allied Domecq) where for sixteen years he held a number of senior positions leading up to Senior Vice President for Nordic and Baltic countries. He built up a sales and marketing structure for Allied Domecq in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland and Norway. He was then promoted to head up the European Duty-Free organisation for five years and worked in Spain building up its key account capability and structure.
- The Russian and CIS countries were then added to Jan-Erik’s responsibilities, and for a further four years he managed brands including Ballantine’s, Beefeater, Courvoisier, Sauza and a Vodka company in the region.
- Jan-Erik soon became Senior Vice President of Northern Europe for Allied Domecq, responsible for 23 countries, 165 people, a turnover of €150 million and profit of €30 million. In this position he increased profit by 18%, introduced new products from around the world and launched subsidiaries in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Georgia.
- Jan-Erik is now involved in the distribution of leading wine and spirits brands to the Baltic region and is an international associate of Intangible Business. His mother tongue is Swedish, he speaks fluent English and Finish and also speaks German and Spanish.
