Agthia Group, a leading Food & Beverage company, has appointed Salmeen Al Ameri as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 2, 2025.  

In his new role, Salmeen brings over two decades of leadership experience across the technology, agriculture, food, and supply chain sectors. He will lead the next phase of growth and transformation for Agthia, focusing on accelerating growth across all four segments of the Group while strengthening Agthia’s position as a leading global food and beverage company. Additionally, he will ensure the future-proofing of the Group’s business strategy through advancements in digital transformation, AI adoption, customer-centricity, and innovation.  

Most recently, Salmeen served as the Chief Executive Officer of Silal since 2022. Concurrently, he has been associated with Agthia Group as Vice Chairman since 2020. Over the years, he has played a key role in reshaping the Group’s long-term vision, including the development of its ambitious 2030 strategy, positioning him as the ideal leader to ensure both a seamless transition and the effective execution of Agthia’s strategic roadmap.  

Beyond Agthia, Salmeen also serves GCC’s largest retailer, Lulu Group as a Board Member. Previously, he held board positions at Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company and DSV – Global Transport and Logistics. He also served as the CEO and Chairman of Al Dahra, a Board Member at Grace FCC Catalyst Middle East, and the Commercial Director at Abu Dhabi Terminals.  

Salmeen succeeds Alan Smith, who steps down after five years of service. Alan will continue as an advisor to Agthia to ensure a smooth leadership transition and ongoing development. Reflecting on his tenure, the company stated, “Under his leadership, the Group navigated a transformative period of growth, diversifying from two to four business segments, executing six strategic acquisitions, and more than doubling its revenue from AED 2.1 billion in 2020 to AED 4.9 billion in 2024.”  

Khalifa Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Agthia Group, expressed his gratitude to Alan, saying, "On behalf of the Board, I extend our sincere gratitude to Alan Smith for his exceptional leadership and contributions to Agthia’s success over the past five years. He has been instrumental in transforming Agthia into the market leader it is today, laying the foundation for its successful strategic re-alignment and long-term commercial success."  

Outgoing CEO Alan Smith reflected on his journey, stating:  "Leading Agthia over the past five years has been a truly rewarding experience. I am deeply grateful to the Board and the leadership team for their trust, and to our incredible colleagues whose dedication and passion have made our achievements possible. Agthia’s transformation has been built on the collective effort of a talented team, and I have no doubt that the company’s best days are still ahead. With Salmeen at the helm, Agthia is in capable hands, and I am confident he will drive the Group to even greater success. I look forward to supporting him and Agthia’s continued journey in my advisory role."  

Chairman Al Suwaidi also welcomed new CEO Salmeen, adding, "With Salmeen Al Ameri, we are bringing on board a highly experienced leader with a proven track record in building resilient, innovation-driven, and technology-enabled businesses. He will seamlessly build on Alan’s achievements and confidently lead Agthia into its next phase of growth."  

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Salmeen expressed: "It is a privilege to be entrusted with leading Agthia Group, one of the most reputable food and beverage companies in the region. With its commitment to high-quality products and an unwavering focus on customer-centricity, Agthia is well-positioned for sustained growth and global expansion. I look forward to working closely with our leadership, management, and employees to accelerate this momentum and create lasting value for our customers and shareholders. As we embark on this next chapter, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and the continued execution of our strategic roadmap. I will engage closely with all stakeholders to align on key priorities and will provide a comprehensive update on our direction and focus areas as we move forward."  

This leadership changes comes during the group's broader strategic re-alignment, reinforcing its commitment to becoming a leader in the global F&B sector.