Read The Times Australia

Daily Bulletin

Custom Menswear Clothier J.Hilburn Names New CEO

Stein Ove Fenne will succeed DeFeo as the new CEO, effective July 14, 2022.

Stein Ove Fenne
Stein Ove Fenne

DeFeo was appointed as CEO in 2019, overseeing J.Hilburn's strategic vision, leading the company through the pandemic and returning the company to increased sales and profitable growth. Taking his place will be Fenne, a direct sales veteran with more than 25 years of experience in leading global businesses with a wealth of direct sales experience.

A golf look from the J.Hilburn Spring 2022 Collection, featuring shirting by Ratti
A golf look from the J.Hilburn Spring 2022 Collection, featuring shirting by Ratti
During his time as CEO, DeFeo led the company to success as it embraced the use of technology and various clienteling tools. These enabled Stylists to work with their Clients virtually using a state-of-the-art fitting technology app on their phones, a 3D garment configuration tool, visual closets and virtual calls, paving a new way for Clients to purchase custom clothing through meeting with their personal Stylists either virtually or in person, whichever they preferred. Under DeFeo's leadership, the brand also expanded its ever-popular range of custom casual clothing, proving to be a winner when the hybrid work model was adopted everywhere.

A suiting look from the J.Hilburn Spring 2022 Collection, featuring cloth by Reda 1865
A suiting look from the J.Hilburn Spring 2022 Collection, featuring cloth by Reda 1865

DeFeo says, “I am proud that we were able to transform our business and continuously provide high-quality products and services to our Clients through new technology while also expanding our casual assortment. It has been an amazing journey to lead J.Hilburn and see our progress throughout the pandemic. This is an exciting time for the company and our Stylists to grow, and I believe the company will thrive with Fenne’s leadership.”

Roger Lee, Chairman of J.Hilburn, added, “I want to thank DeFeo for the tremendous work he has done to take J.Hilburn through the pandemic and transform the company into a healthy and growing one. I am sad to see DeFeo take a back seat in J.Hilburn’s future but glad he will be staying on as a Board Member and Advisor. We have been very fortunate to find Fenne during our search and are very confident that Fenne will drive our growth strategy and take the company to the next level.”

Fenne served at Tupperware for 17 years before joining J.Hilburn. He was the Managing Director for the Northern Europe sector from 2007 to 2011, where he led the northern European business portfolio spanning 10 countries and successfully turned a four-year revenue decline. He was later appointed as President of the United States and Canada from 2011 to 2018 and Group President of EMEA from 2018 to 2020, overseeing Tupperware’s $1B division in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He also helped spearhead portfolios of 17 independent business units with manufacturing operations in South Africa, Portugal, Belgium, and Greece. After abundant experiences with an Independent Stylist community like J.Hilburn’s, Fenne has a strong understanding of the direct sales business model. He has been influential in developing a high-performance leadership culture, championed innovative digital strategies and social media initiatives, and led the successful turnaround of multiple established and emerging markets. Most recently, Fenne was President of Yes You Can. Earlier in his career, he was recruited to the Norwegian Armed Forces and graduated from the Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy.

Commenting on his new position at J.Hilburn, Fenne said, "I am extremely thankful and honored to be J.Hilburn’s new CEO and be part of an amazing and successful company. I have been impressed by the quality of our Stylists, product, and the strength of our Client relationships that I see so much potential in. With this, I am confident that J.Hilburn will continue to be the world's leading custom-made menswear brand."

For more information on J.Hilburn, please visit www.jhilburn.com.

Hashtag: #J.Hilburn

About J.Hilburn

J.Hilburn is a leading custom-made menswear brand with luxury fabrics sourced directly from the most storied Italian mills. These exceptional fabrics are crafted into individual, custom-made garments for each Client's fit and styling preference. J.Hilburn's custom-made garments are offered through a trusted network of independent Personal Stylists who offer personal fittings and styling sessions at a Client's convenience. J.Hilburn proudly delivers an unmatched apparel experience for men rooted in the core belief that every man deserves access to quality, service and value in his expression of personal style.


Business News

The Business Case for Choosing Australian Fabricators Over Imported Alternatives

For a long time, you might have defaulted to overseas suppliers when sourcing fabricated metal components for a project. The unit price was lower on paper, and the maths seemed straightforward. That...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Australian organisations are relying on business continuity plans built for a far more predictable world

Tariff escalations, supply chain fragility, geopolitical events, and the ongoing threat of cyber disruption have reshaped the risk environment facing Australian organisations. The problem is that ma...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

How to Rent a Car for Uber in Melbourne: What Every New Driver Needs to Know

Starting out as an Uber driver in Melbourne is not as complicated as it sounds but getting the vehicle right is where most new drivers get stuck. Uber has strict requirements around vehicle age, condi...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

When Should You Speak to a Lawyer About a Legal Issue?

Legal issues can begin with a simple question, then become harder to manage once formal steps are involved. Many people wait until a matter feels urgent before seeking guidance, even though earlier ...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

The strategic rise of Bali as Australia’s next essential healthcare support hub

As Australian healthcare providers grapple with unprecedented operational bottlenecks, a new nearshore model is quietly transforming patient care delivery. Forward-thinking organisations,  including...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Cost Savings and Benefits of Using Used Pallets in Logistics

In today’s competitive logistics and supply chain industry, businesses are constantly looking for ways to reduce operational costs without compromising efficiency and reliability. One of the most prac...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

How Fulfilment Services in Australia Help Businesses Scale Efficiently

The growth of e-commerce and modern retail has transformed customer expectations. Consumers now expect fast shipping, accurate order processing, and seamless delivery experiences regardless of where...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Practical Ways Australian Workplaces Can Reduce Operating Costs

Reducing business costs doesn’t always mean cutting staff, shrinking services or making the workplace feel bare-bones. In many cases, the smarter savings are hiding in everyday operations: the light...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Executive Recruitment Solutions That Help Organisations Secure Exceptional Leaders

Leadership has a direct impact on organisational performance, employee engagement, strategic growth, and long-term success. Businesses operating in increasingly competitive environments require experi...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

The Daily Magazine

What Happens After You Lodge a BYDA Enquiry? The Step Most Excavation Projects Miss

Every excavation project in Australia — from a backyard deck footing to a multi-storey commercial bu...

How to Choose the Right Dentist on the Gold Coast

Finding a dentist you trust is one of those decisions that quietly affects your health for years, ...

The Hidden Engineering Problem Inside Australia's Older Housing Stock

A significant share of Australian homes were built for a way of living that no longer exists. Houses...

DIY Rodent Control Vs Professional Help: When Is It Time To Call The Experts?

Rodents are one of the most frustrating pest problems for Australian property owners. Rats and mic...

Lighting Shop in Perth: How The Right Lighting Can Transform Your Home And Business

The right lighting can completely change the look, feel, and functionality of any space. Whether it ...

Traffic Light System Solutions For Safer And More Efficient Traffic Management

Modern cities and growing communities rely heavily on effective traffic management to ensure safety...

Gold Migration Lawyers in Liquidation: How the Closure Affects Your ART Appeal

If your appeal was with Gold Migration Lawyers, a recent change to how the Tribunal decides cases ...

The pressure cooker: life in urban Australia in 2026

Australian cities have always been demanding. Long commutes, rising housing costs, busy schedules a...

What Actually Makes a Good Criminal Lawyer in Melbourne

Most people only think about this question once. That is usually too late. Most people charged wi...