Executive Committee
Andrew Bird
Interim Chief Executive Officer
MBA, Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield
PhD in Organic Chemistry, University of York, York
BSc (Hons) Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich
Professional background
2017-18
General Manager Gulf, Eastern Mediterranean & Maghreb Region, Dubai
2011-17
Strategy & Operations Director Middle East, Africa & India
2016-17
General Manager Maghreb Region at Bristol-Myers Squibb
2013-14
General Manager South Africa at Bristol-Myers Squibb
2011-11
Business Director at Pase II Gulf, Dubai
2009-10
Regional Marketing Director Africa & Middle East (AfME)
2008-09
Senior European brand Manager at Pfizer
1999-07
Sales & Marketing roles at Janssen-Cilag Ltd. Uk & Ireland
1997-98
Medicinal Chemist at Cerebrus Ltd.
1996-97
Research Chemist at Glaxowellcome
1995-96
Production Manager at Croda International
Max Sorokin
Chief Financial Officer
MBA, International Institute for Management Development (IMD)
BA, Economics, Business, German, Wabash College
Professional background
2019-23
Head of Group Commercial Finance at Acino in Zurich, Switzerland
2018-19
ESSA Beverages Supply Chain Finance Lead at PepsiCo in Barcelona, Spain
2013-18
Senior Manager Finance at PepsiCo in Geneva, Switzerland
2010-12
Associate Director, Licensing & Business Development at Merck Serono in Geneva, Switzerland
2009-10
Consultant/Talent Partner, Life Science Practice at a-connect in Zurich, Switzerland
2002-09
Various roles in Finance at Eli Lilly & Co in Indianapolis, USA
Richard Letzelter
Chief Human Resources Officer
MSc Business Marketing, Ecole Supérieure des Technologies et des Affaires – ESTA
Professional background
2020-23
Directeur des Resources Humaines France - P&O Head at Novartis, Paris
2019-20
HR Head Region Europe a.i. at Novartis, Basel
2016-19
Head of Talent management and OD - Region Europe at Novartis, Basel
2012-16
Head of Talent management and OD - Middle East and North Africa cluster at Novartis, Dubai
2007-12
Head of Capability and Organisation Development - Egypt at Vodafone
2005-07
Human Resources Manager global teams - Japan at Vodafone
2003-05
Human Resources Manager - Global Content Services at Vodafone, London
2000-02
Head of Human Resources at Vizzavi, Paris
1997-00
Marketing HR and HR Manger - UK at Altran
Mario Ricard
Chief Operations Officer
Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science – Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sherbrooke in Canada.
Professional background
2015-17
Vice President – Plasma Manufacturing Europe at Baxalta/Shire, Zurich
2014-15
Vice President – Operations Strategy at Baxter, Zurich
2012-14
Vice President – Technical Services and BioSurgery Manufacturing at Baxter, Belgium and Switzerland
2010-12
Operations Director at Baxter, Belgium
2003-10
Plant Manager at Baxter, Belgium
1999-03
Plant Manager at Baxter, Canada
1992-99
Various roles in Production, Purchasing and Planning at Baxter, Canada
Eugene Zaika
Head of Ukraine and CIS
DBA degree (ongoing), International Management Institute (IMI-Kyiv)
MBA, International Management Institute (IMI-Kyiv)
PhD in cardiology, Research Institute of Therapy (Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine)
MD, Kharkiv Medical Institute, honors
Professional background
2011-15
Takeda Cluster Head for Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Israel / General Director LLC Takeda Ukraine
2008-11
General Director, LLC Nycomed Ukraine
2005-08
Head of Represenative office of Nycomed in Ukraine and Moldova
2005-05
Marketing Manager, Sanofi-Aventis Ukraine and Moldova
2000-04
Marketing Manager, Aventis Intercontinental (Ukraine)
1998-00
East Ukraine Area Manager, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer (Ukraine)
1994-97
Medical representative, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer (Ukraine)
1993-97
Cardiologist, scientific associate in the department of clinical pharmacology, Research Institute of Therapy (Kharkiv)
Christina Peusch
Chief Legal & Integrity and Compliance Officer
German qualified lawyer, University of Passau, Passau, Germany
Professional background
2013-15
Head of Legal EUCAN (Europe/Canada), Emerging Markets and North Asia, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International GmbH, Zurich
2012-13
Senior Director Corporate Legal Affairs, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International GmbH, Zurich
2010-12
Senior Director International Legal Affairs, Nycomed Germany Holding GmbH, Konstanz, Germany
2007-09
Director International Legal Affairs, Nycomed Germany Holding GmbH, Konstanz, Germany
2004-07
International Legal Affairs Manager, Altana Pharma AG, Konstanz, Germany
1995-04
Clifford Chance (prev. Pünder, Volhard, Weber & Axster), member of the Commercial Law and Corporate Finance practice areas and (chief) representative of the Beijing office; Frankfurt am Main and Munich, Germany, and Beijing, PRC.
John Norman
Head of Africa
Bachelor of Commerce Majored in Marketing & Economics
Professional background
2017-18
General Manager Litha Healthcare, South Africa
2014-17
Managing Director Africa at Takeda
2007-14
CEO Takeda South Africa, Sub Saharan Africa & Indian Ocean Islands
1999-08
Marketing & Sales Director Janssen- Cilag Pharmaceuticals, South Africa
1998-99
Business Unit Manager Janssen-Cilag Consumer Pharmaceuticals, South Africa
1993-98
Regional Sales Manager Jannsen-Cilag Pharmaceuticals, South Africa
1991-93
Product Manager Adcock Ingram Pharmaceuticals, South Africa
1988-91
Product Manager J&J Medical, South Africa
1987-88
Professional Sales Representative J&J Medical, South Africa
Global Leadership Team (GLT)
Juliana Reis
Global Head of Corporate Development
Executive International MBA, FIA Business School, São Paulo
Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD), USP, São Paulo
Professional background
2020-23
Global Head, M&A and Business Development at Acino, Zurich
2018-20
Director, BD&L and POrtfolio Strategy LATAM at Eurofarma, São Paulo
2016-18
Head of PMO & Strategic Projects at Eurofarma, São Paulo
2014-16
BD&L Sr Manager, Novel Compounds at Eurofarma, São Paulo
2009-13
R&D Drug Discovery Program Lead at Aché Laboratórios, São Paulo
Stefano Di Biase
Global Head of Portfolio Strategy and Commercial Excellence
MSc in International Management, Audencia, Nantes
MSc in International Business, Aston University, Birmingham
Professional background
2019-23
Global Head of Portfolio Strategy at Acino, Zurich
2012-19
Associate Principal, Consulting Services - M&A and Strategy at IQVIA, London
2012-12
FX Analyst at Morgan Stanley, London
2008-09
Junior Auditor - Industrials and Consumer Markets at KPMG, Milano
Martin Sandgap
Global Head of B2B
BBA, Lund University, Lund
Professional background
2020-23
Regional Business Director at Acino, Zurich
2019-20
Global Head of Transformation at Acino, Zurich
2014-19
Head of Business Evaluation & Deal Structuring (BEADS) at Acino, Zurich
2014-14
Short Term Consultant at Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Zurich
2013-13
Director Global Marketing - Commercial Assessment External Opportunities at Takeda, Zurich
2012-13
Director Global Marketing - Commercial Assessment External Opportunities at Takeda, Chicago
2011-12
Associate Director - Business Evaluation and Deal Structuring at Takeda, Zurich
2010-11
Associate Director - Business Evaluation and Deal Structuring at Nycomed, Copenhagen
2008-10
Senior Manager Business Evaluation, Business development at Nycomed, Copenhagen
2005-08
International Product Manager at Nycomed, Copenhagen
2001-05
Nordic Product Manager at Nordic Drugs
Eva Kopecna
Global Head of Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs and Pharmacovigilance
MD University of Palacky, CZ
MSc in Regulatory Affairs University of Wales, UK
PhD in Clinical and Social Pharmacy Charles University, CZ
Professional background
2019-20
Head of Regulatory Affairs, Zentiva, Prague
2012-18
Senior Director Regulatory Affairs Global OTC, PGT Healthcare, Geneva
2006-12
Regulatory Affairs Director, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Opava, Czech Republic
2004-06
Director of Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance - CEE Region, Ivax Pharmaceuticals, Czech Republic
2002-04
Regulatory Affairs Manager - CEE region & Site RA, Ivax Pharmaceuticals, Czech Republic
2000-02
Head of Clinical Trials, Head of Clinical Trials, Ivax Pharmaceuticals, Czech Republic
Larisa Bernstein
Global Head of Communications
Larisa holds a degree from the University of Oslo, Norway, where she majored in English and marketing communications.
Professional background
2020-21
Senior Communications Leader, Global Neuroscience and Rare Diseases DTA, Hoffmann-La Roche, Switzerland
2018-20
Communications Leader, Global Medical Affairs, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Switzerland
2010-18
Marketing and Communications Manager, Landis+Gyr, Switzerland
2006-09
Senior Corporate Communications Manager, Nycomed (now Takeda Pharmaceuticals), Denmark & Switzerland
2000-06
PR and Communications Manager, Nycomed Russia/CIS (now Takeda Pharmaceuticals), Russia
Samir El Nasharty
Global Head of Supply Chain
BSc of Management Sciences, Sadat Academy for Management Sciences, MBA, CPIM /APICS
Professional background
2022-23
Regional Supply Chain Director META – Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Acino, United Arab Emirates
2021-22
APMA (Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa) Innovative Medicines Regional Supply Chain Head at Novartis, United Arab Emirates
2016-22
MEA Cluster SC Head at Novartis, United Arab Emirates
2013-16
Supply Chain Head at Novartis (Innovative Medicine) Saudi Arabia
2008-13
Product Supply Section head, Egypt, Near East and North Africa at Novartis OTC, Egypt
2007-08
Material Planner at GSK, Egypt
Ralph Halter
Global Head of IT
BSc Marketing, University of Applied Science FHNW Basel
Professional background
2009-19
Corporate Head of IT Strategy and Planning, Panalpina, Basel
2003-05
Head of IT Competence Center Latin America, Panalpina, Brazil
1995-03
Head of Corporate Data Center, Panalpina Basel
1993-95
Senior Data Administrator Retail, Ikea, Southern Europe, Basel
1990-92
Product Manager, Fides Informatik, Basel
Denis Glyadyaev
Head of Russia
The Russian State Social University. Finance
Professional background
2017-18
OTC Business Unit Director Russia at Akrikhin/Polpharma, Moscow
2015-17
Sales and Business Development Director Russia and Belarus at Kimberly-Clark, Moscow
2013-15
Regional Director of Caucasus countries at Kimberly-Clark, Baku
2010-13
Head of Marketing for Baby Child Care and Family Care at Kimberly-Clark, Moscow
2008-13
Head of Trade Marketing for Family Care & Baby Child Care businesses at Kimberly-Clark, Moscow
2006-08
Regional Trade Marketing Leader Russia and CIS at Dirol Cadbury LLC, Moscow
2004-06
Head of Trade Marketing at EFKO Foods, Russia
1998-04
Various roles in sales in Russian companies
1997-98
Credit Expert at 'SBS - AGRO' Bank, Moscow
Jim Harold
Head of Latin America (LATAM)
Bachelor of Science in Physiology from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
Professional background
2015-19
President and Head of Middle East and North Africa, Novartis Pharma Services AG
2011-15
Head of Novartis Vaccines Latin America, Novartis Argentina
2003-11
CEO and Country President, Novartis Argentina
2001-03
VP Transplant and Immunology Business Unit, Novartis USA
2000-01
CEO and Country President, Novartis Chile
1998-99
Head of Sales and Marketing Region Americas, Novartis Brazil
1997-98
Head of Specialty Business Unit, Novartis Argentina
1994-96
Head of Sales and Marketing Argentina, Sandoz
1991-94
General Manager West Africa, Sandoz
Board of Directors
Fahad Al Qassim
Chairman of the Board of Acino Group since April 2022
MBA in Finance, Monash University in Melbourne, Australia
Bachelor in Applied Computing, Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK
Professional background
Fahad Al Qassim is the Executive Director of Healthcare, Pharma and Financial Services at ADQ. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Amoun Pharmaceuticals and a Board Member of Pure Health, Daman, SEHA and Aramex. Prior to joining ADQ, Fahad served as the CEO of Emirates NBD Capital.
Kaj-Erik Relander
Vice Chairman of the Board and Chair of the Audit Committee of Acino Group since July 2022
MBA, Aalto University in Finland and the Wharton School in the USA
MSc in Economics, Aalto University in Finland
Professional background
Kaj-Erik Relander is a businessman and an investor. In 2019, he joined ADQ as Member of the Board and Audit and Executive Committees. Kaj-Erik serves as a board member at a number of other companies, including Abu Dhabi Global Markets, Louis Dreyfus Company, SES (SESG), Starzplay Arabia and Apis Partners Private Equity Fund.
Dena Almansoori
Member of the Board of Acino Group since May 2023
MBA, University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland
Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management Information Systems, Boston University in Boston, USA
Professional background
Dena Almansoori is the Group Chief Human Resources Officer at e& (Etisalat Group). She is the founder and CEO of WhiteBox HR, a Tech company specialising in AI and people science. With over 20 years of experience spearheading disruptive HR strategies and technologies across multiple industries and continents, Dena uses her global perspective and deep understanding of organizational behaviour to drive talent initiatives and large-scale organizational transformations.
Mohamed Kaissi
Member of the Board of Acino Group since May 2023
Bachelor’s degree in Finance & Business Law from California State University
Program for Leadership Development (PLD) from Harvard Business School
Professional background
Mohamed Kaissi is the Executive Director of Strategic Projects at ADQ. He also provides decision support and analysis for the ADQ’s MD & CEO on various economic and strategic topics to help inform decision making across ADQ. Prior to joining ADQ, he served as Director for Economic and Energy Affairs at the Executive Affairs Authority, providing strategic advice on economic and energy policies for the Abu Dhabi and the UAE governments.
Sunil Bhilotra
Member of the Board of Acino Group since April 2022
MBA, London Business School
Bachelor of Commerce, McGill University
Professional background
Sunil Bhilotra served as Director of Portfolio Management, Healthcare, Pharma and Life Sciences at ADQ since 2020.
Per Edelmann
Member of the Board of Acino Group since July 2022
MSc, MBA and Bachelor in Finance from the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark
Professional background
Per Edelmann is an independent life sciences advisor and founder of Edelmann Advisory. Since 2014, he has served as an Operating Partner at Apax Partners and member of multiple non-executive boards in Europe, Middle East and North Africa.
Louay Abou Chanab
Member of the Board of Acino Group since July 2022
MBA, ESCP-EAP, Paris in France
Bachelor of Science, Marketing Management, Lebanese American University in Lebanon
Professional background
Louay Abou Chanab is the Chief Strategy Officer at ADQ in the UAE. Prior to joining ADQ, he worked as an Advisor to the Abu Dhabi Executive Office.