Hill-Smith Family Estates Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Hill-Smith Family Estates has 4 executives leading key functions including strategy, information technology, financial management, and operational logistics.

Rooted in a legacy of viticulture spanning over 170 years, Hill-Smith Family Estates maintains a commitment to sustainable winemaking and global distribution excellence across diverse vineyard sites.

Leadership Roles at Hill-Smith Family Estates

  • Chief Executive Officer - Karl Martin
  • Chief Financial Officer - Staker George
  • Executive Director, Operations & Chief Operating Officer - Brent Jones
  • Chief Information Officer - Linda Carragher
  • Karl Martin - Chief Executive Officer

    Karl Martin, the Chief Executive Officer at Hill-Smith Family Estates, directs the overarching strategic vision for this multi-generational wine enterprise. Martin oversees the integration of vine cultivation, winemaking, and global distribution across the entire portfolio of brands, including Yalumba and Pewsey Vale Vineyard. By aligning the long-term sustainability goals with current market demands, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the business remains a leader in the international wine industry. Martin manages high-level relationships with stakeholders and the board to maintain the family heritage while driving innovation in vineyard development across regions like Barossa and Tasmania. Through rigorous oversight of the company's diverse wine brands, Karl Martin secures the future of this family-owned business. The Chief Executive Officer consistently evaluates market trends to optimize the company's competitive position, ensuring that the dedication to quality remains the primary focus for every vintage produced.
    Karl Martin

    Staker George - Chief Financial Officer

    Staker George, the Chief Financial Officer at Hill-Smith Family Estates, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation for this expansive wine business. George oversees financial planning, reporting, and risk management to ensure the long-term viability of the company's diverse portfolio, which includes Heggies Vineyard and Nautilus Estate. By analyzing revenue streams from both domestic and international markets, the Chief Financial Officer optimizes the investment in vineyard sites and production facilities. Staker George collaborates with executive leadership to align financial resources with the company's strategic goals of sustainability and market expansion. This role involves maintaining rigorous oversight of the distribution businesses, Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants, to maximize profitability across the global supply chain. Through disciplined financial stewardship, George supports the company's ability to thrive for future generations while maintaining the integrity of the family heritage in every financial decision.

    Brent Jones - Executive Director, Operations & Chief Operating Officer

    Brent Jones, the Executive Director, Operations & Chief Operating Officer at Hill-Smith Family Estates, executes the daily operational strategy across all vineyard and production sites. Jones oversees the complex logistics of wine growing and manufacturing, ensuring that the high standards of the company's brands are met consistently. By managing the operational scale from the Limestone Coast to Marlborough, the Executive Director, Operations & Chief Operating Officer optimizes the efficiency of the entire production cycle. Brent Jones coordinates with the distribution teams to ensure that the company's fine wines reach global markets with precision and speed. This leadership role involves streamlining internal processes to reduce waste and enhance the sustainability of the company's agricultural practices. Through the direct management of operational assets, Jones ensures that the company's commitment to quality remains the cornerstone of the business, supporting the overall growth and success of the family-owned enterprise.
    Brent Jones

    Linda Carragher - Chief Information Officer

    Linda Carragher, the Chief Information Officer at Hill-Smith Family Estates, architects the digital infrastructure necessary to support complex wine production and distribution networks. Carragher manages the technological systems that track vineyard data from the Yalumba Nursery through to final global delivery. By implementing advanced data analytics, the Chief Information Officer improves operational efficiency across the company's diverse brands, including Jansz Tasmania and Oxford Landing. Linda Carragher drives the digital transformation of supply chain logistics, ensuring that information flows seamlessly between the production sites and the distribution arms, Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants. This leadership role involves securing critical business data while providing the tools required for real-time decision-making in a fast-paced global market. Through the modernization of internal systems, Carragher supports the company's mission to blend traditional winemaking expertise with cutting-edge technological precision for sustained growth.
    Linda Carragher

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Hill-Smith Family Estates Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Hill-Smith Family Estates?
    Hill-Smith Family Estates is led by Karl Martin (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Staker George (Chief Financial Officer) and Brent Jones (Executive Director, Operations & Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Hill-Smith Family Estates’s executive team?
    The executive team of Hill-Smith Family Estates includes leaders such as Karl Martin (Chief Executive Officer), Staker George (Chief Financial Officer), Brent Jones (Executive Director, Operations & Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Hill-Smith Family Estates have?
    Hill-Smith Family Estates has 4 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Hill-Smith Family Estates’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Hill-Smith Family Estates includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Director, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, Chief Information Officer.