July 1, 2026
 

Aviagen TMEA appoints Sergio Illán as regional president as Tom Exley retires

Illán, formerly General Manager of Aviagen SAU in Spain, takes over leadership of the Türkiye, Middle East and Africa region from 1 July 2026.

Aviagen has appointed Sergio Illán as President of Aviagen TMEA, covering Türkiye, the Middle East and Africa, with effect from 1 July 2026, succeeding Tom Exley who retires on 30 October 2026 after a transition period in an advisory capacity.

Illán joins the TMEA leadership from his previous role as General Manager of Aviagen SAU in Spain. He holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, an MSc in Pig Production from the University of Aberdeen, and an Executive MBA from ESADE Business School. Prior to joining Aviagen, he held roles in nutrition, production and commercial functions across the Spanish agricultural sector.

Illán said the TMEA region's growth fundamentals remain strong. "The region is experiencing strong underlying drivers - population growth, urbanization, and rising incomes - all of which are fueling demand for affordable, high-quality protein," he said.

Exley said the business was in capable hands following the transition, noting that the relationships built across teams, customers and distributors across the region were the defining achievement of his tenure.

- Aviagen