EDINBURGH, Scotland, June 30, 2026 – Aviagen® TMEA (Turkey, Middle East and Africa) marks a new chapter in its regional leadership with Sergio Illán, who succeeds Tom Exley as President of Aviagen TMEA following Tom’s retirement after an outstanding career in the poultry industry.
During his leadership, Tom played a key role in strengthening collaboration across the TMEA region, bringing together teams, distributors and customers, while fostering a strong sense of unity and shared purpose across continents, cultures and markets. His open and approachable leadership style helped deepen trusted relationships throughout the region and reinforced Aviagen’s reputation as a reliable, long-term presence in the industry.
Tom also guided the region through periods of global challenge with a strong focus on resilience, supporting robust supply networks and helping customers confidently navigate an evolving industry landscape. Under his leadership, TMEA continued supporting sustainable poultry production and food security initiatives aimed at meeting the growing demand for affordable, high-quality protein. Following the completion of the leadership transition on July 1, Tom will continue supporting the business in an advisory capacity before retiring on October 30, 2026.
“Leading the TMEA region has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am proud of what we have achieved together over the years. What stands out most to me are the relationships we have built among our teams, customers and distributors, and the shared commitment to supporting the future of poultry production across the region. I am retiring knowing that the business is in very good hands with Sergio, and I look forward to seeing the TMEA region grow and thrive in the future,” Tom commented.
As the region enters its next chapter, Aviagen welcomes Sergio Illán as the new President of Aviagen TMEA.
Sergio brings extensive experience within the Aviagen company, having most recently served 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.
Before joining Aviagen, Sergio gained extensive experience in the Spanish poultry sector in nutrition, production and commercial roles. Throughout his career, he has worked across multiple livestock sectors, supporting operational development, customer service and business growth in international markets.
Known for his focus on operational excellence, sustainability and customer relationships, Sergio will lead the TMEA region into its next phase of growth and development.
Sergio added: “I am honored to take on this new role and to continue building on the solid foundation that Tom has established throughout the region. The region is experiencing significant underlying drivers: population growth, urbanization, and rising incomes, all of which are fueling demand for affordable, high-quality protein. I look forward to working closely with our teams and customers to keep delivering innovation, performance, and long-term success.”