Marrakech – Centrale Danone announced the appointment of Imad Bakkali as the company’s new president and chief executive officer, effective July 1. Bakkali succeeds Hervé Barrère, who is stepping down after nine years within the Danone Group for family reasons.
The announcement, made on Monday in Casablanca, comes as the dairy giant seeks to sustain the momentum built over recent years and accelerate its ongoing transformation.
Bakkali brings more than 23 years of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods industry, accumulated both at Centrale Danone and at other major companies, according to the press release.
His profile is defined by a deep familiarity with the Moroccan market, commercial dynamics, and the operational realities of the sector. The company described this knowledge as a strategic asset for the next phases of growth.
Throughout his career, Bakkali demonstrated what the company characterized as firm leadership, a thorough understanding of Centrale Danone’s core businesses, and a proven ability to guide teams in demanding and fast-evolving environments. That managerial dimension appeared central to the group’s decision, the communiqué indicated.
His appointment, per the company, falls within a broader framework of continuity and acceleration around several strategic priorities. These include strengthening proximity with consumers and clients, sustaining long-term corporate performance, supporting partner dairy farmers, and contributing to the development of Morocco’s national dairy sector.
The transition also reflects the Danone Group’s renewed commitment to the Moroccan market. The company pointed to the opportunities the kingdom offers and to the mobilization of its local teams in driving the business forward.
Centrale Danone also paid tribute to Barrère’s tenure. The company expressed what it called sincere recognition for his leadership, his engagement, and his contribution to the company’s development in Morocco. The press release further acknowledged his role in expanding the Danone Group’s activities across the African continent.
Upon the announcement, Bakkali affirmed in a statement carried in the communiqué that he was honored to take the helm at Centrale Danone and thanked the Danone Group for its confidence. He also noted his intent to pursue the work already underway with all employees to create value for consumers, clients, partner farmers, and the broader national dairy ecosystem.
“With all of our teams, we will continue our commitment to serving Moroccan consumers and clients, our partner dairy farmers, and the development of the national dairy sector. Our ambition is to combine sustainable performance with positive impact, while staying true to our vocation of making healthy food accessible to the greatest number,” he stated.
Centrale Danone, a subsidiary of the Paris-based Danone Group, is one of Morocco’s largest dairy companies. The leadership change marks a notable shift, placing a Moroccan executive with extensive local market expertise at the top of the company at a time when it is navigating a period of strategic transformation within one of the country’s most critical agricultural sectors.
