Deemah names Mohammed Khalid Alakeel as new CEO
United Food Industries Corporation, better known as Deemah, has appointed Mohammed Khalid Alakeel as Chief Executive Officer, with immediate effect.
In his new role, Mohammed brings over a decade of leadership and HR experience. He was appointed Deputy CEO in January last year after founder and long-term serving CEO Abdul Aziz Alakeel announced his retirement plans. Abdul Aziz will continue to serve as the Chairman of Deemah’s Board of Directors.
Mohammed will spearhead the company’s growth and global expansion while overseeing a workforce of more than 1,500 employees and a fully automated manufacturing footprint. He will be transforming Deemah’s business operations, which exports its high-quality snacks and confectionery products to more than 50 countries, emphasising digital transformation and research & development.
Deemah’s board also welcomed three independent directors: Walid Abukhaled, who most recently served as CEO of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) until August 2024; Abdulaziz Albassam, currently serving as Chief Legal Officer at King Salman Park Foundation; and Abdulmalik Al Kohaji, serving as Chief Human Resources Officer at SAMI. Together, they will support CEO Mohammed in strengthening Deemah’s business growth and people strategy.
Announcing the strategic transition, Chairman Abdul Aziz said, “Since our founding over 40 years ago, Deemah has become a brand synonymous with quality and innovation for consumers in Saudi Arabia and beyond. As we embark on the next phase of our journey, the Board and I believe Mohammed’s strategic vision and proven leadership will propel Deemah to new heights. We remain committed to supporting his efforts as he leads the company into its next era of success.”
Mohammed added, “I am honoured by the Board’s trust and excited to lead Deemah during this pivotal time. Our goal is to continue delivering high-quality products while expanding our reach globally. We will focus on innovation, operational excellence, and maintaining the trust of millions of consumers who enjoy our products every day.”
Mohammed started his career with Deemah in 2016 as a management trainee and transitioned into key roles, including HR Director and Chief Shared Services Officer, overseeing HR and IT functions. In 2019, he was promoted to the role of Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, where he led key transformative initiatives, revitalising Deemah’s distribution, sales, and marketing strategies to drive growth and market expansion.
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On the academic front, Mohammed holds a BBA degree from Alfaisal University, a short-term Executive Leadership Programme from Stanford University, and the Oxford Young Leadership Programme from the University of Oxford.