Sari El-Khalil Appointed Managing Director Of Seven-Up Bottling Company As Ziad Maalouf Retires

Seven-Up Bottling Company Ltd. (SBC), one of Nigeria’s foremost beverage manufacturers, has announced a significant leadership transition with the retirement of its long-serving Managing Director, Ziad Maalouf, after nearly 18 years of distinguished service.

In a strategic move aimed at sustaining growth and innovation, the company has appointed Sari El-Khalil, current SBC Board Member and Chief Transformation Officer, as the new Managing Director. His appointment takes effect from July 1, 2025.

Ziad Maalouf’s leadership has been widely credited with deepening SBC’s market footprint, driving operational excellence, and championing innovation across its product portfolio. Under his stewardship, SBC consolidated its position as a household name in Nigeria’s beverage industry, introducing multiple initiatives that modernized its operations and expanded its reach.

Succeeding him, Sari El-Khalil brings a compelling mix of local understanding and international expertise to the role. Having spent his formative years in Nigeria, Sari completed his early education in the country before pursuing further studies and a global career.

His professional journey began at SBC, where he held key roles spanning sales, operations, and finance. Following an MBA at NYU Stern and international experience with PepsiCo USA, he returned to Nigeria to lead SBC’s financial planning and later became the company’s first Chief Transformation Officer. In that role, he oversaw a bold transformation agenda that prioritized digitization, automation, and enterprise-wide agility.

The company stated that Sari’s appointment reflects its continued commitment to nurturing visionary leadership and maintaining momentum in innovation and sustainability.

As the beverage giant enters a new chapter, industry watchers anticipate that the new MD will build on the foundation laid by his predecessor, positioning SBC for even greater impact in Nigeria and beyond.