Richard Finlow has been appointed to the new position of vice president of global sales at Zippo Manufacturing Co.
The appointment, effective in the first quarter of this year, was announced by Mark Paup, Zippo vice president, sales and marketing.
In this role, Finlow will be responsible for worldwide sales and business development for all three Zippo brands: Zippo, Case and Ronson. He will also oversee operations for all Zippo wholly owned subsidiaries overseas.
Finlow joined Zippo in 2010, directing European sales. In 2013, he was promoted to managing director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa following Zippo’s consolidation of several regional markets into a new division named Zippo Europe. He has been responsible for spearheading the company’s European, Middle East, and African business development initiatives and has directed the operations and staff of the company’s three European subsidiaries.
Finlow has spent most of his career in the consumer packaged goods market and prior to joining Zippo, he worked with Gillette and Suntory Beam in global sales and marketing positions. He holds a degree in business, a postgraduate degree in marketing, and an MBA from the University of Wolverhampton in the UK. Finlow is a member of the British Institute of Directors (IOD).
“We are excited to bring Richard’s extensive international business experience to this position,” Paup said. “In addition to Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Richard will now direct sales programs in North America, Latin America, and Asia. Richard’s astute business acumen, leadership, can-do attitude, and enthusiasm for the Zippo brand make him the perfect fit for this appointment.”
Regarding his new job, Finlow commented, “I am honored to join the leadership team in Bradford and be part of a company with such a strong heritage that embraces innovation and continues to invent its future. It is an exciting time to be part of the company’s evolution and I look forward to positively contributing to its profitable growth.”
Finlow lives in Shrewsbury, England, with his wife, Adriana, and son. He is currently based at the Zippo UK offices near London and will be relocating to Bradford in 2016.
