Savola Group, one of Saudi Arabia's leading retail and food holding companies, has appointed Bander Talaat Hamooh as the new chief executive officer (CEO) for its retail unit Panda effective October 15.

Panda, 91 per cent owned by Savola Group, is a leading grocery store chain spread across the kingdom and also Egypt.

Rayan Mohammed Fayez, the current CEO of Savola was till now the acting CEO of Panda, said the company in a filing to the Saudi bourse Tadawul.

Bander, a Saudi national, has over 25 years of vast experience in various leadership positions in retail, pharmaceuticals and FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) sector.

He started his professional career at the Ministry of Health after obtaining his Bachelor Degree in Pharmaceutical Science from King Saud University in 1989, said the statement.

Bander's most prominent role was the one as the general supervisor of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Health and the CEO of Al Nahdi Medical Company, where he led the growth and expansion of the business and also development of the company's strategy in pharmaceutical retail sector.

In his professional journey, Bander has established track records in both public and private sectors, where he accomplished many achievements in retail, commercial management, organisational development, change management, supply chain, marketing and social responsibility, said the company in a statement.

The Savola board thanked Mohammed Fayez for his contribution as Panda's CEO beside handling his current position as the CEO of Savola Group, and wished Bander all the success in his new endeavour.-TradeArabia News Service