Beyti Egypt CEO departs after 5-year tenure

EGYPT – Mark Wyllie, CEO of Beyti Egypt, a subsidiary of Almarai, has officially announced the conclusion of his five-year assignment in Egypt, marking a significant chapter in the company’s evolution.

Wyllie revealed his departure as he prepares for his next role within Almarai after a brief Christmas break, highlighting the substantial strides made under his leadership.

Looking forward, Christian Abboud will assume leadership of Beyti, as Wyllie expressed confidence in the company’s continued success.

Abboud brings extensive experience in the food and beverage industry, currently serving as Vice President at PepsiCo Foods. He has also held senior roles at Nestlé, including overseeing operations in Central & West Africa and the Maghreb region.

At Nestlé, Abboud was key in turning around struggling businesses, driving growth, and improving operational efficiency. His focus on innovation and collaboration positions him well to lead Beyti through its next stage of growth.

Since taking the helm in 2020, Wyllie and his team have propelled Beyti into one of the top ten food and beverage players in Egypt, despite navigating considerable challenges.

As reported by Wyllie, the company weathered disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, currency devaluations, and regional supply chain instability.

Despite these hurdles, Beyti achieved exceptional growth and firmly established itself as a vital asset within the Almarai group.

According to Wyllie, one of the major milestones was Almarai’s full acquisition of the International Dairy and Juice (IDJ) joint venture in February 2023, underscoring the group’s confidence in the team’s vision.

Beyti’s performance metrics reflected this strategic focus, with sales volumes increasing by over 200 million litres.

Export revenue surpassed US$50 million, and the company successfully launched Almarai White Cheese while securing its leadership position in Egypt’s yoghurt market.

Under Wyllie’s tenure, Beyti also emerged as Egypt’s largest single-serve juice brand, a feat that reflects its market competitiveness and operational strength.

The company’s commitment to quality was affirmed by a top-tier score of 955 in an external audit by the American Institute of Baking (AIB), solidifying its standing in food safety and production standards.

Notably, Wyllie emphasized the cultural and organizational transformation that played a pivotal role in the company’s success.

According to him, the establishment of core values drove a significant shift in team mindset and overall company culture. These values—including ownership, innovation, collaboration, and respect—were collectively agreed upon by Beyti’s leadership and rigorously implemented across the organization.

The company’s 4,000 direct and indirect employees are annually evaluated and rewarded based on their alignment with these values.

Wyllie also highlighted the prioritization of diversity, with notable achievements such as the employment of female professionals in van sales, an initiative that reflects Beyti’s evolving approach to inclusivity and workforce development.

Reflecting on his departure, Wyllie expressed pride in the collective efforts of the Beyti team, stating that the journey’s success lay in collaboration and shared ownership.

“We transformed the business into a profitable and valued part of Almarai,” he noted, crediting visible leadership, recognition, and clear business goals for driving change.