Business

Rami Baitiéh: Transformative Retail Leader Driving Morrisons into a New Era

From Carrefour’s Global Success Stories to Morrisons’ Strategic Revival – The Inspiring Journey of Rami Baitiéh

Rami Baitiéh is a French business leader of Lebanese origin, renowned for his transformative leadership and customer-centric strategies in the global retail sector. Born in 1970, he built a remarkable career over nearly three decades at Carrefour, leading operations in Taiwan, Argentina, Spain, and France before becoming CEO of UK supermarket giant Morrisons in November 2023. Known for his “inverted pyramid” leadership style, he empowers store-level teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Today, Baitiéh is considered one of the most influential executives in modern retail, with a leadership philosophy grounded in innovation, operational excellence, and human connection.

Rami Baitiéh: A Complete Biography and Career Overview

Early Life and Background

Rami Baitiéh was born in 1970 in France to parents of Lebanese descent. Growing up in a multicultural household, he developed a deep appreciation for diversity, adaptability, and the importance of human relationships — traits that would later shape his leadership approach in the retail industry. His early education took place in France, where he excelled academically, eventually graduating top of his class from Compiègne École Supérieure de Commerce.

His thirst for knowledge drove him to pursue not one but two Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees — one from the Université du Québec in Canada and another from the Warsaw Central Business School in Poland. This global education gave him a unique perspective on consumer behavior, supply chain dynamics, and leadership across different cultures.

Rami Baitiéh Age

As of 2025, Rami Baitiéh is 55 years old. His career spans more than three decades, a journey marked by consistent success in both emerging and developed markets. His age reflects not only his experience but also his adaptability in an industry that has undergone rapid digital transformation during his tenure.

Professional Journey at Carrefour

Starting Out

Rami Baitiéh began his career at Carrefour, one of the world’s largest retail groups, in the mid-1990s. His early years were spent in operational roles, learning the mechanics of store management, merchandising, supply chain, and information technology. This hands-on approach gave him a deep understanding of retail at the ground level.

Global Leadership Roles

Over the next two decades, Baitiéh’s career at Carrefour took him across continents:

Taiwan (Executive Director) – He led the company’s expansion and operational optimization in East Asia, introducing more localized product strategies and strengthening supply chain efficiency.

Argentina (Executive Director) – In South America, he navigated challenging economic environments, focusing on cost control, pricing strategies, and improving customer loyalty.

Spain (Executive Director) – Here, Baitiéh implemented digital transformation initiatives, upgraded store layouts, and enhanced the product mix to better meet evolving consumer preferences.

France (Executive Director) – In July 2020, he took the helm of Carrefour France, overseeing thousands of stores during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. His quick decision-making, safety measures, and innovative service models, such as expanded online delivery, helped the company maintain strong performance during a period of uncertainty.

Leadership Style and Philosophy

Rami Baitiéh’s leadership is often described as people-first. He champions what he calls the “inverted pyramid” model, which places store employees and customers at the top of the organizational priority list — above senior management. This approach ensures that frontline staff are empowered to make decisions that directly improve customer experience.

He is also the creator of the “555 methodology”, a framework built on 15 customer promises grouped into trust, service, and experience. By holding teams accountable for these promises, he ensures consistent service standards across every store.

In addition, Baitiéh is known for direct customer feedback channels. During his time at Carrefour France, he introduced:

  • Daily Net Promoter Score (NPS) tracking

  • In-store suggestion logs

  • WhatsApp and email contact lines for store managers, allowing customers to reach decision-makers directly

Transition to Morrisons

Becoming CEO in 2023

In November 2023, Rami Baitiéh was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Morrisons, the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket chain. His mission: to simplify, modernize, and mobilize the company for long-term growth.

Morrisons had been facing a challenging market environment — intense competition, rising operational costs, and shifting consumer habits. Baitiéh brought a fresh perspective and an ambitious transformation agenda.

Strategic Focus Areas at Morrisons

Customer Satisfaction – Reinforcing Morrisons’ reputation for fresh, quality products and excellent service.

Operational Efficiency – Introducing zero-based budgeting to cut waste and redirect resources toward customer-facing improvements.

Supplier Relationships – Building stronger partnerships with farmers, manufacturers, and logistics providers.

Digital Innovation – Expanding online shopping capabilities, click-and-collect services, and personalized customer offers.

Achievements and Impact

Even in a short period, Baitiéh has:

  • Streamlined decision-making processes within Morrisons

  • Strengthened morale among store teams

  • Laid the groundwork for digital transformation initiatives

  • Reaffirmed the company’s commitment to British sourcing and local suppliers

His changes have not been without challenges, as Morrisons continues to navigate market pressures. Yet, his track record suggests resilience and a capacity to deliver results over time.

Rami Baitiéh Family

Rami Baitiéh maintains a private personal life. While publicly available information about his family is limited, it is known that he is deeply proud of his Lebanese heritage and close-knit family roots. His leadership philosophy — valuing respect, empathy, and empowerment — reflects the strong family values instilled in him from an early age.

He has also spoken about the importance of work-life balance and the role that family plays in keeping leaders grounded and connected to their values.

Rami Baitiéh Net Worth

Estimating Rami Baitiéh’s net worth is challenging, as he does not publicly disclose his financial details. Various online estimates suggest it could be in the hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, though these figures should be treated cautiously.

As CEO of Morrisons, his annual compensation is likely aligned with UK supermarket executive standards, which often range from £1 million to £3 million, including bonuses and incentives. His net worth is also shaped by nearly three decades in senior leadership roles at Carrefour, one of the world’s largest retail companies.

Rami Baitiéh Wikipedia Overview

While Rami Baitiéh does not have an extensively detailed Wikipedia page, available entries highlight:

  • His French-Lebanese origins

  • His education at Compiègne École Supérieure de Commerce

  • His MBAs from Canada and Poland

  • His 28-year career at Carrefour across multiple countries

  • His appointment as Morrisons CEO in 2023

  • His leadership innovations, including the inverted pyramid and 555 methodology

Awards and Recognitions

Throughout his career, Baitiéh has earned recognition for his visionary leadership and commitment to customer service excellence. While specific awards vary by region and company, he is consistently cited in retail industry publications as one of the most influential executives in Europe.

Future Outlook

Rami Baitiéh’s immediate challenge at Morrisons is to reverse sales slowdowns and adapt the business to the fast-changing grocery retail landscape. His proven ability to lead in diverse markets, his innovative mindset, and his deep operational knowledge position him well to guide Morrisons through transformation.

Over the next few years, expect him to:

  • Push further into digital innovation

  • Enhance product quality and sourcing transparency

  • Empower teams at every level

  • Drive sustainable growth and profitability

Conclusion

Rami Baitiéh’s journey from a top business school graduate in France to leading one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains is a story of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering focus on the customer. Whether in Taiwan, Argentina, Spain, France, or the UK, his leadership has consistently delivered improved customer experiences, stronger teams, and operational excellence.

At 55, with decades of global retail expertise, Baitiéh remains a driving force in modern retail — proof that visionary leadership can reshape even the most traditional industries.

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