Ferrero Group, a world leader in confectionery and fast-moving consumer goods, has announced the appointment of Fabio Grilli as the new Regional Director for the Gulf region, with his duties officially commencing on September 1, 2025.
This strategic decision comes at a time when the region is witnessing significant economic transformations and increasing growth in the retail and consumer goods sector, reflecting the commitment of the long-established Italian company to strengthen its presence in Middle Eastern markets.
A career spanning a quarter of a century
Fabio Grilli has a proven track record of achievements and over 25 years of professional experience in the FMCG sector. Since joining the Ferrero family in 2003, Grilli has held several leadership positions, gaining extensive experience in marketing, sales, and trade marketing.
His career has been characterized by geographical and cultural diversity, having worked in several European and international markets, including Luxembourg, France, Italy, Hungary, and finally the United Arab Emirates. This diversity has given him a deep understanding of market differences and consumer behavior, making him well-suited to lead the company's operations in a dynamic environment like the Gulf region.
Prior to taking on the new role, Greeley served as General Manager for Eastern Europe for three years, where he successfully managed the company’s operations in vital markets such as Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Moldova, contributing to strengthening the brand’s position and achieving sustainable growth on both commercial and operational levels.
The importance of the Gulf market to Ferrero
The Gulf region is one of Ferrero's fastest-growing markets, boasting a diverse portfolio of globally beloved brands such as Nutella, Kinder, and Ferrero Rocher. The appointment of experienced leadership like Greeley will enhance the company's ability to keep pace with the rapidly evolving tastes of Gulf consumers and leverage the advanced logistics infrastructure within the GCC countries.
In this context, Fabio Grilli expressed his pride in the new position, saying: “I am very proud to take over the leadership of Ferrero’s operations in the Gulf region at this pivotal stage. Ferrero has doubled its business in the GCC countries since 2020, and we are committed to maintaining this momentum in the coming years.”.
A future vision for sustainable growth
Under Greeley's leadership, the group's new strategy aims to deepen its relationship with local consumers and enhance the brand's positive impact. Greeley outlined his plan, saying, "Our vision is to strengthen our leading position in the packaged confectionery sector through sustainable growth. My goal in the next phase is to chart a new course for sustainable success and open a new chapter that embodies Ferrero Gulf's ambitions.".
This move indicates that Ferrero is not only seeking to maintain its market share, but also aspires to expand the scope of its innovations to suit the renewed Gulf market, taking advantage of the economic stability and high purchasing power that the region enjoys.
