The Associated International Group of Nurseries (AIGN®), has experienced significant growth over the past few years, adding new members in both 2022 (India) and 2024 (Türkiye). With a larger membership and increased opportunities available for AIGN in the European Union, the management team sought additional support in the region. "We are pleased to announce we have contracted with Willy Dillen to fill this new role in the EU. We are thrilled to find someone with the education and background so complimentary to the goals and mission of AIGN," said Lynnell Brandt, Independent Chairman of AIGN's board of directors.
Dillen is the proprietor of Acutifolius, where he offers services as a freelance agricultural advisor and consultant between science, business and legal entities in the arena of new fruit varieties. His resume includes more than 20 years of experience in the Fruit Tree industry, building upon his extensive education, including a master's of science in agronomy, a PhD in biotechnology and an MBA in international business. Dillen is well versed in intellectual property rights, plant variety rights, and utility patents, having guided several companies through the process of protecting their inventions.
Based in the country of Belgium, Dillen will communicate with scientists, breeders and nurserymen on behalf of AIGN, and will assist in managing license agreements and royalty collection. Upon joining the company, Dillen remarked, "I look forward to contributing my expertise to AIGN, a leader in our industry. It is an exciting prospect to be involved in building relationships between the AIGN members, breeders and other stakeholders, with the shared goal of bringing great new fruit varieties to the consumer.
For more information:
Dr Gavin Porter
AIGN
Tel: +61 7 3491 9905
Email: [email protected]