July 4th was a special day as we bid farewell to Khalil Daoud and expressed our deepest gratitude for his dedication during his 15-month tenure as the CEO of Fattal Group. It was also a momentous occasion as we welcomed Sami Darouni as the new CEO. Sami brings with him over 30 years of experience in the FMCG and Management Consulting industries, having worked with multinational fast-moving consumer goods corporations in the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, and globally.

The handover took place at the Bernard Fattal Auditorium in the presence of Fattal executives. To ensure that our colleagues from the affiliates could also be a part of this important moment in the company's life, the ceremony was broadcasted for their participation.

In light of the occasion, Khalil Daoud, Caroline Fattal, and Sami Darouni expressed a few heartfelt words.

"I stand before you today to bid farewell as the CEO of this remarkable company. First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the management team and employees. Over the past few months, we have faced challenges, celebrated successes, and grown together as a team. I am honored to have had the privilege of leading such an incredible group of individuals. Your dedication, talent, and support during this transition period have been a driving force behind our achievements. Together, we have overcome obstacles and worked tirelessly to steer the company forward To my successor, Mr. Sami Darouni, I offer my sincere congratulations and best wishes. You are stepping into a role that carries tremendous responsibility and I have every confidence in your abilities to lead this organization forward. Embrace the challenges, nurture the talent within our ranks, and continue fostering a culture of courage, respect, sharing, and trust. I have no doubt that under your guidance, this company will continue to thrive and achieve even greater success. As I move on to the next chapter of my life, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Thank you for your unwavering dedication, support, and belief in our shared vision. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your CEO, and I leave with a sense of fulfillment and gratitude, knowing that the future of this company is in capable hands."

- Khalil Daoud, Former Fattal Group CEO

"I want to start today by thanking Khalil for joining our company in a moment of despair, where we could not see the light at the end of the tunnel after losing our chairman and CEO Hubert Fattal. You will forever be this company's first non-family CEO, and you have helped us cross this milestone which is one of the hardest for any family business. Today is an important day in the company as we have a succession of CEOs. It is a big day, a symbol of independence. It is true that we had many issues in the past and still in the present, Lebanon's operations are not easy to navigate. But today, we are also at the crossroad of change. We are at a pivotal time where we need to invent a new way of doing business, maybe as we say, corporatize even more our company. We chose Sami through a long process with a headhunting firm, he competed with many other candidates and had many interviews where he was screened by us and the external board members, etc. We all unanimously believed that he was the one who will take the company to the next level in its new chapter."

- Caroline Fattal, Fattal Group Chairwoman

"It is an absolute pleasure to be here with all of you today, not just as colleagues, but as members of the Fattal family. When I mention the Fattal family, I am not just referring to those seated in the front row, but each and every one of you, because you have all contributed to the growth and success of this business. I firmly believe that it is the people who build a business, and each and every one of you has played a vital role in shaping the company's journey. I hold the utmost respect for our front liners-the individuals who sell our products and stock the shelves. I also understand the importance of being hands-on and operational. You can expect to see me actively engaged in the field, working alongside our teams, meeting customers, and ensuring that we deliver exceptional satisfaction. At the end of the day, our ultimate goal is to satisfy our customers. This is the essence of who we are as a company. I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and establish a personal connection with all of you. By building relationships, we can work together to strengthen our business. A few years ago, my family and I decided that Lebanon was our home. We are committed to this country and its people, and we are dedicated to continuing our journey here, alongside all of you. Let us embrace the future together, with passion and determination, as we navigate the path to success as one unified Fattal community."

- Sami Darouni, Fattal Group CEO