Mondelez International restructures strategic leadership team in the Middle East

New leadership strategy will drive growth across MENA region

DUBAI, UAE – July 1, 2015 – Mondelez International, the global snacking powerhouse behind iconic brands such as Oreo biscuits and Cadbury Dairy Milk, has appointed a new leadership team to drive the next phase of growth of its GCC and Pakistan business.

The new leadership structure will support the company’s ambitious growth plans within the Middle East region.

Andre Benoit, Corporate & Government Affairs Director, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa   of Mondelez International said: “The team has a proven track record in building and leading global business operations and extensive experience of operating in emerging markets.  They will build on our double digit growth in the region and bring a wide-range of expertise in our brands, innovation platforms, routes to market and supply chain, so that we're well-positioned to accelerate revenue growth as consumer demand in the region continues to grow.”

As part of the restructuring, Alan Smith is appointed Managing Director for the Gulf and Pakistan. With over 10 years of experience in Mondelez International, Alan will be responsible for overseeing sales, logistics and operations for GCC countries and Pakistan, ensuring continued growth across the MENA business.

Vishal Tikku is appointed President Cheese, Grocery & Beverages, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at Mondelez International. In this role, he will oversee Marketing, Sales and operations in the category’s biggest market, Saudi Arabia, as well as the Nigeria, South Africa and Pakistan with operations in Russia and Eastern Europe. 

Jose Esteve will be leading one of the region’s biggest markets as Managing Director for Saudi Arabia. Where Mondelez International has been operating over a century. Through its subsidiary—Nabisco Arabia— the company operates one of the largest internationally owned food and beverage plants in the Middle East, producing Oreo, belVita, Ritz and Prince biscuits, as well as the Barni sponge cake. Jose has over 20 years of experience in international markets, including the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe and will use his comprehensive knowledge of the business to continue expanding the company’s operations in Saudi Arabia.

As Managing Director of Growth Markets EEMEA, Vanya Panayotova will oversee sales, planning, analysis and trade marketing across the Middle East and Africa, including Iraq, Algeria, Yemen, Sudan, Kenya, Mozambique and Angola. With 18 years of experience in sales, category work, organization and strategy development, Vanya began her career with Mondelez International in 2012 as Director of Sales Capability, EEMEA, where she was responsible for the development of sales capabilities and regional category sales.

Usman Muneer will be leading one of the fastest growing snacking markets in the world, as Managing Director of Pakistan. Mondelez Pakistan operates three snacking categories—chocolate, powdered beverage and candy—and is the market leader in the first two through its Cadbury and Tang brands. With over 10 years of experience in several international markets such as the Middle East, Africa, and Pakistan, Usman will oversee the finance and marketing departments to fast-track development in the Pakistan market.