Hamid Merati-Kashani

It is safe to say that Hamid Merati Kashani is dedicated to his work, “24 hours a day, seven days a week.” The Firmenich adage, “think client,” reflects his commitment in everything he does. Born in Germany to an Iranian father and a German mother, Hamid was raised in Isfahan, Iran, until the end of the revolution in 1979. Hamid’s love for Iran “comes from the heart,” and he defines himself as, “Iranian in education, and German in organization.” Family friends worked distilling rose oil, and he has poignant memories of growing up amongst the fields of roses. Hamid fought hard to become a perfumer and is acutely aware that nothing can be taken for granted. This spirit has spared him of any arrogance despite his great success.
Hamid’s behavior and path in life have always been dictated by a strong set of family values. Honesty, respect, infinite esteem for the wisdom of elders, generosity and integrity are key. Hamid believes that it is always possible to learn from others and never feels envious: “a successful person is, above all, an example to follow.” He is profoundly attentive to those around him, always quick to share and be sociable. “The most important thing is to have enough on the table morning, noon and night. If you have more than you need, share, give.” What matters most to Hamid is being appreciated as a reliable and valuable member of any team. Success is sweet when winning a project alone, but it is even sweeter to win together with my colleagues.
When Firmenich sent Hamid to Dubai, the office was at its very early stage. Today, Hamid is joined by more than 70 collaborative. As he was when he had the chance to work in Brazil for seven years, he is now proud of this great progress in a region that has taught him so much. “The Middle East has developed its own olfactive culture. Perfume is at its heart. Over there, the customer teaches me! There is a very different relationship with raw materials. Consumers are not afraid of mixing products to create their own perfume. They do take inspiration from the West, but they never forget their roots. For me, Middle Eastern luxury is a great source of inspiration. Everything is bigger and more beautiful… "
Hamid spends his life traveling across continents. His vacations are an opportunity to rest. He enjoys spending time in Germany with his family and companion who has been supporting him for many years. But Hamid never stays long in the same place. As a child, he wanted to be pilot so he could head off to other countries at any given moment. As an adult and talented perfumer, his thirst for freedom remains unquenched.