New NZ Business Hall of Fame member - Sir John Ilott

On 28 July 2010 Sir John Ilott was admitted as a Laureate to the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame. The function was attended by his daughter Susanne McKellar, who travelled from Britain for the occasion. Colleen Singleton, President of the Rotary Club of Wellington, and other District and Rotary International representatives also attended this occasion.

Sir John was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Wellington in 1921, and as district governor of Rotary New Zealand helped form the New Zealand Crippled Children Society [now CCS Disability Action] in 1934-35. He also served as a director of Rotary International and later as second vice-president of the international movement.

John Ilott changed the face of advertising, using his fortune to promote the arts, literacy and a range of worthy causes.

He took over as chief executive of his father’s advertising agency, J Ilott, in 1917, enhancing the agency’s reputation for innovative campaigns for a range of businesses and causes. Under his direction, Ilott Advertising went national and spread to London and Australia.

John Ilott donated his extensive collection of etchings and engravings to the National Art Gallery.

Another of his legacies was the John Ilott Charitable Trust, set up in 1960 to provide assistance to for a range of special projects. The Trust is managed by the Rotary Club of Wellington.

[Pictured:  Sir John Ilott, Chief Executive of Ilott Advertising for 35 years, proudly displays his Rotary Club Chain - supplied by Alexander Turnbull Library]