ISM Middle East 2026 Exhibitor List

<p data-end="450" data-start="102">A global FMCG leader with over 27 years of experience, Annu Gupta is the CEO, International Business at Britannia Industries, driving operations across 90+ markets on five continents. Renowned for delivering sustainable growth, profitability, and innovation, he has transformed businesses in the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.</p> <p data-end="810" data-start="452">Under his leadership, Britannia has achieved record-breaking growth, doubling profits at twice the pace of revenue, securing Top 3 biscuit brand status in the UAE, and earning the ET Best Brand UAE Award. He has spearheaded manufacturing expansions in Egypt, Kenya, and Nepal, and launched product innovations catering to diverse consumer segments globally.</p> <p data-end="982" data-start="812">Annu&rsquo;s strategic vision continues to strengthen Britannia&rsquo;s position as a &ldquo;Total Global Foods Company,&rdquo; making a significant impact on the international FMCG landscape.</p>

Beatrice is a strong advocate for transparency in the field of vegetarian and vegan certifications, working to empower consumers with accurate information about products. Her mission is not only to make it easier for consumers to choose vegetarian and vegan products with safety and reliability but also to encourage businesses to expand the demand for vegetarian and vegan products. She is also an active voice in the V-LABEL community, often speaking at industry events, driving positive change, and inspiring more vegan-oriented processes in the industry.

<p>Mario Moreira is a seasoned global business leader with over two decades of experience in international trade, FMCG sales, and brand development. As Senior Director of Jomara, a premium Saudi dates brand, Mario is driving the international expansion of date-based products into mainstream retail, with a bold vision to make dates a year-round, globally loved superfood.</p> <p>At the heart of his work is a mission to bring a millennia-old fruit into the modern snacking industry, transforming traditional dates into innovative, flavour-forward products that meet the expectations of today&rsquo;s health-conscious and experience driven consumers.</p> <p>With a sharp eye for emerging trends and deep market insight, he has successfully launched disruptive dates concepts across multiple continents, bridging heritage ingredients with modern indulgence. His expertise spans brand positioning, product portfolio innovation, retail partnerships, and global distribution strategy.</p> <p>Mario brings a unique perspective shaped by years of experience operating across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas, always with the ambition to turn tradition into trend.</p>

<p>Zeyneb Larabi is a Dubai-based leader in global retail and travel retail for premium chocolate and confectionery. With 15+ years across the Middle East and International markets, she has steered growth and category strategy for Valrhona, and Villars, building high-performing assortments, airline and airport partnerships, and shopper experiences that convert. Widely known in the industry as &ldquo;Madame Chocolat,&rdquo; she champions chef-led innovation, locally resonant product concepts, and disciplined go-to-market execution, bridging B2B craft with B2C demand.</p> <p>Beyond her corporate remit, Zeyneb is building a portfolio of entrepreneurial ventures and advises local food brands and concepts in the UAE, highlighting local production and the MADE in UAE.</p> <p>She also co-founded Her Table, a network that spotlights and connects women founders and leaders across the F&amp;B ecosystem, creating practical pathways for mentorship, collaboration, and growth</p>

<p>Jens Sievert is Director of International Design and Branding at Daymon, the American pioneer in private brand development. With over 25 years of global experience, he leads Daymon&rsquo;s International Design Agency, which he founded in 2013.</p> <p>An internationally awarded designer, Jens has created and transformed over 120 brands across 26+ countries, helping elevate private brands into meaningful, consumer focused experiences. He specializes in human-centered design and retail packaging systems, solving complex branding challenges for major retailers, boutique stores, and e-commerce platforms.</p> <p>His approach puts people at the center of design decisions, driving emotional connection and delivering an average sales increase of 32%. His most recent work includes Talabat&rsquo;s new private brand, now entering the market.</p> <p>Jens is also a speaker on innovation and human-centered design, and serves as a jury member for the PLMA Salute to Excellence Awards and The Vertex Packaging Design Awards</p>

<p data-end="600" data-start="138">With over a decade of experience in the FMCG sector, Colm Smith&nbsp;brings a unique blend of global exposure and specialised expertise across multiple food categories, including snacks, meat, seafood, ingredients, frozen goods, and confectionery. Starting his career in van sales, he progressed through roles in sales and operational management, territory leadership, and sales directorship, building a strong track record in driving growth and operational excellence.</p> <p data-end="936" data-start="602">Having lived and worked in Europe, the USA, Canada, West Africa, and now the Middle East and travelled to over 50 countries, he has developed a deep understanding of diverse cultures and market dynamics. This global perspective enables him to navigate the complexities of international business with both effectiveness and integrity.</p> <p data-end="1160" data-start="938">His core strengths span operational management, team leadership, change management, strategic planning, financial oversight, and risk management making him a highly versatile leader in the evolving global FMCG landscape.</p>

<p data-end="551" data-start="158">With over 20 years of expertise in Category Management, Anna Tkacheva has led transformative retail and FMCG strategies across global and emerging markets. She began her career as Head of Merchandising for a major supermarket chain before moving into senior leadership roles at Danone and Mars Russia, where she built and guided high-performing category leadership teams.</p> <p data-end="933" data-start="553">As part of the Mars Confectionery Global Category Team, Anna developed innovative tools and capabilities that boosted category sales across diverse retail formats and geographies. Her track record includes driving growth in both developed and emerging markets, and she is recognised as a strong people leader for more than 15 years, while valuing integrity and empathy above all.</p>

<p data-end="580" data-start="178">Dr Morgaine Gaye is an internationally recognised Food Futurologist who analyses food and eating through social, cultural, economic, branding, and geopolitical lenses. She works with some of the world&rsquo;s leading brands, including Mondelez, Mars, Unilever, Nestl&eacute;, Panasonic, and BMW&mdash;providing bespoke trend forecasts, ideation sessions, and product innovation strategies that look up to 10 years ahead.</p> <p data-end="998" data-start="582">Her expertise spans product development, texture and sensory experiences, packaging, and consumer drivers, inspiring global innovation teams and shaping future food concepts. Beyond the food industry, she advises technology, finance, and manufacturing companies on future markets, and her insights have been featured by Amazon&rsquo;s &ldquo;Shop of the Future&rdquo; and in international think tanks for the UK Ministry of Defence.</p> <p data-end="1365" data-start="1000">A frequent media contributor, Dr Gaye has appeared on BBC, Netflix, and Channel 4, and is often quoted in publications such as The Telegraph, Financial Times, Glamour, and Stylist. She is also a published author, TEDx speaker, and guest lecturer, bringing thought-provoking perspectives on how we will eat, share, and experience food in the decades ahead.</p>

<p>James George is a seasoned data and marketing strategist with over a decade of experience translating complex market dynamics into actionable commercial insights. With a strong focus on the Middle East, Africa, CIS, and South Asia regions, James has played a pivotal role in helping global brands unlock growth through data-led decision-making and culturally nuanced market strategies.</p> <p>As a thought leader in the field, James seamlessly blends analytical rigour with compelling storytelling to influence brand strategy, consumer engagement and commercial outcomes. His unique ability to decode consumer behavior and align it with business objectives has made him a trusted industry advisor across both mature and emerging markets. James has been a keynote speaker at numerous forums and conferences across the MEA region, where he shares perspectives on data transformation, market innovation, and the evolving role of marketing commercial intelligence in business growth.</p> <p>His talks are known for regional relevance and real-world application, making him a regular presence on stage and in strategic cocreation spaces. Whether driving insight led marketing strategies or mentoring teams on data fluency, James brings deep regional expertise, commercial intuition, and an unwavering commitment to impact.</p>

<p>Ekaterina Pichugova (Katya)&nbsp;is a dynamic and accomplished leader with over two decades of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. As General Manager for the Gulf region at Mars Middle East &amp; Africa, based in Dubai, UAE, she is at the forefront of driving growth and innovation across highly competitive markets.</p> <p>Katya's career began in 2003 in Avanta Ltd before she joined Mars Russia in 2004, where she quickly advanced through a series of increasingly senior roles in sales and category leadership within both the Mars Multisales and Petcare segments. Her early experiences in field sales have played an influential role throughout her versatile career, characterizing her natural ability to build and lead high-performing teams. In 2009, she was promoted to Head of Category and Customer Marketing, where she played a pivotal role in establishing the Category Management function for Mars Pet Nutrition Russia.</p> <p>Katya is a recognized brand transformation and growth specialist within the retail sector. Having joined Mondelez International in 2013, she quickly made her mark shaping the growth and leadership strategy for the Chocolate category. The following year she ventured into entrepreneurship, launching her own fashion retail franchise of Intimissimi in Moscow.</p>

<p data-end="612" data-start="170">Oluwatoyin Akintayo is a visionary entrepreneur, export consultant, and innovation advocate with over 18 years of cross-sector experience in insurance, banking, IT, and media. As CEO and Global Export Director of Wetin Dey Global, he drives the company&rsquo;s mission to connect premium Nigerian food and agro-products with international markets, empowering farmers, reducing post-harvest losses, and expanding Africa&rsquo;s footprint in global trade.</p> <p data-end="999" data-start="614">A strong proponent of food security, value addition, and inclusive supply chains, Oluwatoyin champions initiatives aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to build resilient, future-ready trade ecosystems. Under his leadership, Wetin Dey Global was named Best African Agro-Trade Pioneer of the Year (Nigeria) at the 2025 MEA Markets African Excellence Awards.</p> <p data-end="1462" data-start="1001">He has represented Nigeria&rsquo;s agro-industry at major trade exhibitions including Gulfood (Dubai), Food Africa (Cairo), and Africa&rsquo;s Big 7 (Johannesburg), and is preparing for participation in the China International Import Expo and Anuga Food Fair. With deep expertise in African market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and cross-border trade, Oluwatoyin is a trusted partner for African SMEs scaling globally and international brands entering African markets.</p> <p data-end="2024" data-start="1464">Holding a B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan, he is pursuing a Master&rsquo;s in Innovation, Intrapreneurship &amp; Entrepreneurship at James Hope University, where he earned a competitive scholarship. An Affiliate Member of the Chartered Institute of Export &amp; International Trade, he also completed the Export Management Programme at Lagos Business School. His work reflects a steadfast belief that Africa&rsquo;s future lies in bold trade, strategic innovation, and elevating local producers from raw

<p>Rakesh Jha is a seasoned FMCG leader with 20+ years of extensive experience in Brand Development, Market Strategies, and Distribution Management.</p> <p>As General Manager for Al Maya Group&rsquo;s FMCG Distribution Division in the UAE, he has been instrumental in driving growth, fostering strategic brand partnerships, and enhancing operational excellence across the region.</p> <p>With an MBA and a passion for innovation in FMCG arena, Rakesh offers deep insights into evolving consumer trends and private label dynamics. At the Private Label Middle East Event, he will share strategic perspectives on how brands can unlock new value in rapidly transforming retail landscape.</p>

<p data-end="484" data-start="138">Vishal Das brings over 21 years of experience in the retail industry, spanning grocery, FMCG, luxury imports, and innovative product development. Starting his career in grocery retail in 2002, he steadily rose through the ranks to become Group Vice President at BigBasket, one of India&rsquo;s largest e-commerce companies and part of the TATA Group.</p> <p data-end="928" data-start="486">At BigBasket, Vishal leads a diverse portfolio of businesses and categories, from fine gourmet foods and private labels to health, beauty, and general merchandise, with a sharp focus on product innovation. His responsibilities include overseeing new product development, driving design enhancements, ensuring regulatory compliance, and leading multi-cultural, cross-country teams&mdash;all while championing sustainable, capital-efficient growth.</p> <p data-end="1260" data-start="930">An entrepreneur at heart, Vishal is passionate about creating &ldquo;wow&rdquo; experiences, challenging the status quo, and building brands that last. He aspires to launch a mentorship programme for start-ups and SMEs to help them scale sustainably. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, travelling, and spending quality time with his two sons.</p>

Beatrice Quarella is an Account Manager with a strong focus on global market strategy and consumer insights. With over 7 years of international experience across Europe and the U.S., she has worked at the intersection of market research, export development, and commercial strategy. Her academic background in Political Science and International Relations, combined with expertise in data analysis, negotiation, and trend-spotting, gives her a unique perspective on identifying emerging market opportunities and driving business growth across diverse regions