Seven-Up Bottling Company Ltd. (SBC), one of Nigeria’s foremost beverage manufacturers, has entered a new chapter in its corporate history with the announcement of a significant leadership transition. The company’s long-serving Managing Director, Ziad Maalouf, is set to retire after nearly 18 years of outstanding service. In his place, Sari El-Khalil currently a board member and SBC’s Chief Transformation Officer will assume the role of Managing Director, effective July 1, 2025. This transition marks both the end of a visionary era and the beginning of a new leadership direction designed to propel SBC into its next phase of growth and innovation.
Ziad Maalouf’s tenure at SBC has been transformative. Since taking the reins, he has played a pivotal role in steering the company toward national prominence in the beverage industry. His leadership has seen the successful introduction and expansion of iconic brands such as Aquafina bottled water, Lipton Ice Tea, and Supa Komando energy drink. Under his watch, SBC not only grew its product portfolio but also significantly expanded its production capacity, positioning the company as a household name across Nigeria. Beyond product and operational achievements, Maalouf was instrumental in embedding a culture of innovation and sustainable business practices within SBC.
Maalouf’s departure, however, is not the end of the road for his influence. In his farewell remarks, he noted that while he is stepping down from his executive position, his commitment to Nigeria and the business landscape remains strong. He expressed particular passion for mentoring and supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through his “SME Scale Up” initiative, aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs to build resilient, scalable businesses.
Succeeding Maalouf is Sari El-Khalil, whose appointment signals continuity with innovation. El-Khalil brings a deep understanding of SBC’s internal culture and business environment, having started his journey at the company in junior roles across sales, operations, and finance. His career trajectory is marked by both internal advancement and international exposure. After completing an MBA at NYU Stern, he gained invaluable experience working with PepsiCo in the United States. Upon his return to Nigeria in 2020, El-Khalil rejoined SBC as Head of Financial Planning and Analysis, eventually becoming the company’s first-ever Chief Transformation Officer.
El-Khalil’s elevation to Managing Director reflects the company’s confidence in his leadership and vision. In accepting his new role, he emphasized a strong commitment to driving innovation, enhancing operational efficiency, and advancing sustainable growth. He also underscored his belief in people-first leadership, aiming to inspire and empower SBC’s workforce to achieve excellence.
The decision to appoint a leader with both legacy understanding and transformative capacity is a strategic one. Chairman Faysal El-Khalil described the leadership change as “continuity and new momentum,” suggesting that while the company honors its foundational strengths, it also embraces the evolving demands of a competitive and dynamic marketplace. This duality respect for tradition combined with a push for modernisation positions SBC well for the future.
Looking forward, El-Khalil’s leadership is expected to focus heavily on digitization, sustainability, and talent development. As Chief Transformation Officer, he had already begun digitising core business functions and driving a customer-centric strategy. In his new role, this focus will likely expand to include deeper automation, smarter supply chain solutions, and the development of eco-conscious initiatives such as greener packaging and waste reduction systems.
