Bateel International names Nurtac Afridi as new CEO

Newly named Chief Executive Officer, Nurtac Afridi is all set to take over Bateel’s baton from current and long-time CEO Dr. Ata Atmar.

In what comes across as a pivotal step towards brand growth and transformation, Bateel International LLC has announced a leadership transition. Atmar, who has been at the helm since the company’s inception will retire this year, although he will continue supporting Bateel during the transition and will remain a member of the company’s board of directors.

Atmar’s over-three-decade-long tenure marked an era of visionary leadership that propelled Bateel to a position of leadership in the premium F&B and luxury retailing industries. For perspective, Bateel has established a strong global presence in more than 29 countries, with luxury boutiques and elegant cafés in premium destinations across the GCC, Europe and Asia.

Effective August 5, 2024, Afridi has joined Bateel relocating from New York to the headquarters of Bateel in Dubai. Prior to joining Bateel, she served as CEO of Godiva and brings over 30 years of executive experience, excelling in global operations management, corporate strategy, change management and financial stewardship. Her career is marked by successful business transformations, leadership of high-performance teams and significant achievements in mergers and acquisitions, including record-breaking business sales and high-valuation IPOs.  Ms.

Commenting on Afridi’s appointment as Bateel’s CEO, Atmar said, “Nurtac’s exceptional track record in driving transformative change and achieving remarkable growth makes her the ideal choice to lead Bateel into its next chapter. Her leadership and strategic vision are exactly what we need to continue our trajectory of robust growth and innovation.”

“After conducting a thorough and formal process to identify Dr. Atmar’s successor, we are confident that Ms. Nurtac Afridi has all the required capabilities and experience to drive the next era of growth for Bateel. This transition comes at an important time for the company as it is poised for significant growth” added Ziad Al-Sudairy, Founder and Chairman of Bateel.

On her part, Afridi said, “I am thrilled to join Bateel at this pivotal moment as we embark on an exciting phase of expansion. Our premium brand positioning opens numerous growth opportunities. Our commitment to excellence and innovation propels us forward, establishing Bateel as a distinguished industry leader. I look forward to working closely with the Board, the leadership team, our partners, and our customers. Together, we will transform opportunities into milestones, ensuring our brand continues to inspire and delight customers worldwide.”