Bahrain-based distribution and supply chain company BMMI has appointed Sotiris Yannopoulos as its new Chief Executive Officer, bringing more than three decades of international leadership experience across the consumer goods, food and beverage, retail and manufacturing sectors.
Yannopoulos takes over as CEO in September 2026, succeeding into a role that spans BMMI’s wholesale, distribution, retail and production businesses, as well as its supply chain, logistics, procurement and integrated facility management operations.
The company said Yannopoulos will build on BMMI’s heritage while supporting its next phase of growth and business development.
“I am excited to join BMMI and ready to get started,” Yannopoulos said. “I look forward to working alongside a team that is making a difference in Bahrain and beyond, building on the Group’s strong heritage and further evolving our business from good to great; for our people, customers, partners and shareholders.”
Yannopoulos brings extensive experience in leading large-scale businesses and transformations across multiple international markets. Before joining BMMI, he served as Vice President, Regional VP Frozen Bakery, at La Lorraine Bakery Group, where he was responsible for Türkiye, the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia.
During his tenure, he developed a strategic growth plan covering operational footprint and investments, strengthened organisational capabilities, revamped the commercial operating model and expanded the business into new markets including Azerbaijan and Georgia. He also oversaw the deployment of SAP S/4HANA and improvements in operational safety standards.
Prior to La Lorraine, Yannopoulos spent more than four years as CEO of the Food & Beverage Division at Fortenova Group. He led the transformation of a €1.2 billion division comprising more than 9,000 employees, 35 brands and 10 production facilities across the Balkans.
His career also includes a decade with Coca-Cola HBC, where he held several senior leadership positions, including Region Director and General Manager for Italy and Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo. As Region Director, he oversaw operations across Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Switzerland, leading a workforce of more than 5,000 employees.
Earlier in his career, Yannopoulos spent more than 12 years with PepsiCo, holding roles across marketing, business development and general management. His responsibilities included leading PepsiCo’s East Balkans business and supporting market expansion and acquisitions across Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria.
He began his career with Colgate-Palmolive, where he worked across the US and South African markets.
Alongside his executive career, Yannopoulos has held several board and advisory positions. He has served as a non-executive board member of EPSA S.A. since 2023 and previously served on the board of SPAR Albania. He was also an executive advisor at MGN Consulting, working with CEOs, shareholders and leadership teams on strategy, growth, commercial effectiveness, organisational performance and business transformation.
In his new role at BMMI, Yannopoulos is expected to draw on this experience as the company continues to develop its operations across food and beverage distribution and supply chain services.
BMMI, which is listed on the Bahrain Bourse, operates across wholesale, distribution, retail and production and represents a portfolio of global consumer brands. The group also provides end-to-end supply chain, logistics, procurement and integrated facility management services to governments and organisations.