Palliser Estate Announces New CEO

Incoming CEO Pip Goodwin with the retiring Richard Riddiford

Palliser Estate Wines of Martinborough has named Pip Goodwin as its new Chief Executive Officer. Goodwin will be succeeding founding Managing Director Richard Riddiford, who announced his retirement this year after 25 years at the helm. She will assume her new role in September.

Currently serving as Associate Winemaker and Marketing Manager, Goodwin has a wealth of business and winemaking experience. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma from the University of Otago and has ten years’ experience working as a Chartered Accountant and Management Consultant both in New Zealand and overseas. In 2004 Goodwin completed a Postgraduate Diploma of Oenology and Viticulture at Lincoln University.

During her ten years at Palliser, Goodwin has been largely involved in a Winemaking role but has worked across all aspects of the business including environmental system management, sales & marketing and finance.

“Pip will bring a unique set of skills to Palliser with her accounting background and her winemaking and marketing skills,” said Richard Riddiford, Palliser Managing Director. “The challenges of the wine industry will continue but with Pip at the helm we will be well placed to handle whatever comes our way. There is an old saying that without change nothing stays the same. So onwards and upwards.”

Goodwin’s appointment came after an executive search process and the newly appointed CEO says she is well aware she has big shoes to fill.

“Richard has been a great mentor to me over my years at Palliser,” says Goodwin. “I consider myself lucky to have worked so closely both with Richard and Chief winemaker and Viticulturist Allan Johnson, and I am excited at the prospect of building on Palliser’s proud heritage.”

“We remain a relatively small company compared to many of New Zealand’s established wineries and I will continue to direct our focus on making the highest possible quality of wine and building our international reputation. My goal is to increase the profile of our wines and the value of our business.”