Executive shakeup at Melisron: CEO Ophir Sarid steps down unexpectedly; wave of insider buying hits TASE
The CEO of real estate group Melisron, Ophir Sarid, is stepping down immediately, with CFO Oren Hellinger taking over as acting CEO. The abrupt departure joins a wave of personnel changes and insider purchases, including votes of confidence in Orion
Executive shakeup at Melisron: CEO Ophir Sarid is leaving, and CFO Oren Hellinger has been appointed acting CEO. Meanwhile, a wave of insider confidence continues: Chaim Katzman bought Orion shares, Teuza's CEO doubled his holdings, and controlling shareholders in Netanel Yielding Assets increased their stake. In addition, Hagag Europe won gas tenders in Romania.
Executive shakeup at one of Israel's largest real estate companies: Melisron CEO Ophir Sarid has announced his immediate departure. The surprising move, reported today (Wednesday), comes after a tenure of approximately seven years in the role. The company's CFO, Oren Hellinger, has been appointed acting CEO. This departure joins a wave of personnel changes and strategic moves on the stock exchange, which also includes share purchases by interested parties in several companies, signaling confidence in their future.
Turbulence at Melisron: CEO Sarid steps down
Melisron, a leading operator of shopping malls and income-producing properties, reported today the conclusion of CEO Ophir Sarid's tenure (2026-01-088424). Sarid, who took office in November 2019, led the company through challenging periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's announcement stated that the retirement "does not involve circumstances that should be brought to the attention of holders of the entity's securities," standard wording intended to prevent speculation. However, an immediate CEO departure is an unusual and significant event for a company of Melisron's scale. Concurrently with the announcement, CFO Oren Hellinger was appointed acting CEO, a move indicating a desire to maintain operational and managerial stability during the transition period until a permanent CEO is located.
Wave of votes of confidence from interested parties
In contrast to the uncertainty surrounding Melisron's leadership, a wave of votes of confidence from interested parties and executives was recorded at other companies. Veteran real estate investor Chaim Katzman, an interested party in Orion Commercial Properties, purchased an additional 15,000 shares for approximately ₪27,000 (2026-01-088163). Although the amount is modest, the action itself by a dominant real estate figure like Katzman carries symbolic weight.
At high-tech investment firm Teuza, a more significant vote of confidence was recorded. Avi Krebs, who serves as director and CEO, purchased 1.4 million shares of the company for approximately ₪294,000. Following the purchase, Krebs's holdings more than doubled, rising from 0.93% to 2.16% of the company's equity (2026-01-087873).
In the commercial real estate arena, a vote of confidence was also recorded by the controlling shareholders in Netanel Yielding Assets. Rishan Building and Investments, controlled by Company Chairman Arie Netanel and his brother, CEO Dani Netanel, purchased an additional 40,000 shares of the company for approximately ₪92,000 (2026-01-088152), raising its stake to 80.15%.
Strategic moves and additional changes
In parallel, several other material events were recorded. Hagag Europe, which operates in the energy infrastructure sector in Romania, reported a significant win in three tenders for the construction and operation of natural gas distribution networks in the country (2026-01-088006). The win, achieved through a subsidiary, is expected to generate approximately €15.2 million in revenues from construction work and solidifies its position as a key player in the Romanian energy market with a 49-year concession.
In the non-bank credit sector, Melleran Projects and Investments (2026-01-088141) reported a significant change in its leadership. David Granot, a senior figure in the capital market, will conclude his tenure as chairman of the board of directors on November 13, 2026. The departure of a dominant chairman like Granot will require the company to find a suitable replacement.
Finally, Gaon Group reported a change in its holdings structure resulting from a distribution of a dividend in specie (2026-01-088035), and Rei TLV Group reported the postponement of the repayment date for a loan totaling approximately ₪25.9 million (2026-01-088055).