The business affairs of our company are managed under the direction of the Board, which represents and is accountable to our shareholders. These responsibilities non-exhaustively include:
Corporate Governance
The business affairs of our company are managed under the direction of the Board, which represents and is accountable to our shareholders. These responsibilities non-exhaustively include:
- Building the vision of the Company, approving of local and international business strategies and determining short- and long-term goals;
- Approving the Company's annual budget and business plans and its revisions;
- Monitoring the strategic and financial performance of the Company and ensuring that corrective measures are carried out as necessary;
- Controlling the Company's annual material expenditures which are not stated in the annual operating plan
- Consistent with applicable law and rules, approving quarterly financial results, the audit report and amendments to the accounting policies previously adopted by the Company or any material change in the method or timing of reporting of the financial results;
- Consistent with applicable law and rules, overseeing the preparation of the annual report and finalizing the same for presentation at the General Assembly of Shareholders
Bülent Aksu
Chairman of the Board
Bülent Aksu has 25 years of managerial experience in finance, accounting, tax and management fields in various sectors including telecommunications, energy, petrochemicals, textiles and audit. He began his career at Inspection Board of Kuveyt Türk A.Ş. as an Auditor, and then undertook Finance Manager and Group Finance Director roles, respectively at Çalık Holding in 2003. Between 2008 and 2012, he served as CFO at Akfel Group. Mr. Aksu undertook CFO role at Azerbaijani National Oil and Gas Company’s (SOCAR) subsidiaries Petkim Petrokimya Holding A.Ş. and STAR Rafineri A.Ş., respectively from 2012 to 2016. Bülent Aksu carried out numerous mergers and acquisitions transactions in various industries, and actively managed financial transactions including project financing and bond issuance in international and domestic markets. He led the completion of the financing agreement of USD3.3 billion with 18 years maturity signed between 23 local and international financial institutions and STAR Rafineri, one of the most prominent industrial investments of our country. This agreement had been the top project financing transaction made in Turkey to that date in terms of amount and maturity. Moreover, it had been the largest project financing transaction in Europe in 2014. Bülent Aksu served as CFO of Turkcell from July 20, 2016 to July 17, 2018. Mr. Aksu made valuable contributions to Turkcell having implemented international practices enabling Turkcell to become an exemplary company of our country in terms of balance sheet and FX risk management along with his innovative solutions to funding investments. Mr. Aksu strengthened Turkcell’s leading position in local and international capital markets having carried out first Asset Backed Securities (ABS) issuance in non-banking sector, and having led financing bill, lease certificate and Eurobond transactions. In 2016 and 2018, Mr. Aksu was voted among the top 50 most influential CFOs in Turkey by the Fortune Turkey magazine. Mr. Aksu served as Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Treasury and Finance between August 3, 2018 and January 29, 2021. He served as a Board Member of Türk Telekomünikasyon A.Ş. from November 2018 to March 2019. Bülent Aksu served as a member of Turkcell Board of Directors between March 2019 and March 2020. Between May 2019 and February 2021, he served as the Chairman of Board of Directors of Turk Eximbank. Mr. Aksu was elected as the Chairman of Turkcell’s Board of Directors effective as of March 12, 2020. Bülent Aksu was re-elected as a Member of the Turkcell Board of Directors at the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting for 2020 which held on April 15, 2021 and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors as of April 20, 2021. Mr. Aksu represented our country as Sherpa at the G20 summit in 2018, and as Turkey Governor at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the African Development Bank (AfDB); Turkey Deputy Governor at the World Bank (WB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB); as Turkey Executive Director at Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) between August 2018 and January 2021. Bülent Aksu graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Business Administration (English) in 1996.
Figen Kılıç
Board Member
Figen Kılıç, born in 1970 in Gaziantep, graduated from the Selçuk University, Electrical Electronics Engineering department and received her Electrical Engineering Master’s Degree from the Gebze High Technology Institute. Trained in project management, process management, and test engineering, Kılıç also graduated from the Anadolu University Faculty of Open Education, Department of Law, and is studying in the Department of Business Administration of the same university. Figen Kılıç, started her career as technical translator in İhlas Group, before moving to İstanbul Municipality BELBİM A.Ş. for a lengthy period, working on payment projects as R&D engineer, Project Coordinator and R&D Manager. In 2010, she transferred to E-Kent Ödeme Sistemleri A.Ş. (Çalık Holding) where she served as IT and Operational team manager for electronic ticket system integration and management projects in various cities of Turkey. In 2014, Figen Kılıç worked at Turkcell İletişim Hizmetleri A.Ş. and in 2015 was appointed to the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) of Turkey as its first women board member. After her term in office ended in 2019, she acted as Service Delivery General Manager of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services. Figen Kılıç currently serves as Advisory Board Member of BİLTEG Group at TÜBİTAK. Figen Kılıç was appointed to the Turkcell Board of Directors, effective as of January 29, 2021. At the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting for 2020, held on April 15, 2021, Figen Kılıç was re-elected to the Member of the Turkcell Board of Directors.
Nail Olpak
Board Member
Nail Olpak, was born in 1961 in İbecik, Burdur. He graduated from Aydın High School. Having graduated from Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Mr. Olpak completed his master’s degree in the field of Energy at Yıldız Technical University. Mr. Olpak serves as the Chairman of the Board of NORA Elektrik AS, PAK Yatirim AS and OMN AS and as the board member of companies in which these three companies have shareholdings. As part of his activities in NGOs and for public welfare; Mr. Olpak serves as President & Chairman of the Executive Board of DEİK, Board Member of Export Credit Bank of Turkey (TURK EXIMBANK), Board Member of Turkcell, Board Member of İstanbul Development Agency (İSTKA), Member of High Advisory Board of MÜSİAD, Member of the Founding Committee of International Technological, Economic and Social Research Foundation (UTESAV), Member of the Board of Trustees of Tourism Development and Education Foundation of İstanbul Chamber of Commerce (TUGEV), Member of Founders Board of İlim Yayma Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees of Huzur Hospital Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees of Human Development and Societal Education Foundation (İGETEV), Member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Support of İstanbul Medeniyet University, Member of the Board of Trustees of Kandilli Club. Nail Olpak also served as the Chairman of MÜSİAD (Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association) and the Chairman of MÜSİAD High Advisory Board, Vice-Chairman of IBF (International Business Forum), Council Member of B20 Steering Committee of Turkey, Council Member of İTO (Istanbul Chamber of Commerce), Board Member of İDTM (Istanbul World Trade Center), Board Member of the Huzur Hospital Foundation, Board Member of ENVERDER (Energy Efficiency Association), Member of High Advisory Board and Board Member of MMG (Architects and Engineers Group), Founding Committee Member of Turkish-Japanese University, Member of the Board of Trustees of Commercialize Center Istanbul (CCI), Board Member of Turkey Silicon Valley. Mr. Olpak was appointed to the Turkcell Board of Directors by Capital Markets Board Decision, effective as of March 6, 2020. At the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting for 2020, held on April 15, 2021, Nail Olpak was re-elected to the Independent Member of the Turkcell Board of Directors. Nail Olpak was granted the title of Honorary PhD in the branch of International Relations by Ahi Evran University and Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. Olpak is married and is the father of two sons who are Architect and Mechatronic Engineer. He speaks English very well.
Tahsin Yazar
Board Member
Tahsin Yazar, born in 1975, was appointed to the Turkcell Board of Directors as independent board member by decision taken by the Capital Markets Board in March 6, 2020. He was graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Law in 1996. After starting his career as a freelance lawyer, he continued at Devres Law Office and Zorlu Holding A.S. respectively. Mr. Yazar joined Calik Holding Inc. in 2010 as Director of Energy Group Legal Affairs and also acted as a board member of Yesilirmak Electricity Distribution Inc. and Aras Electricity Retail Sales Inc. Mr. Yazar was appointed as Advisor to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources in 2016. He was then appointed as Advisor to the Minister of Treasury and Finance in 2018. At the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting for 2020, held on April 15, 2021, Tahsin Yazar was elected to the Member of the Turkcell Board of Directors.
Şenol Kazancı
Board Member
He was born in 1975, in İstanbul. He graduated from the Istanbul University, Faculty of Law. Şenol Kazancı worked as TVNET General Manager between 2007 and 2011, as the Advisor of the Prime Minister between 2011 and 2014, and as Chief Advisor to the President in 2014. He lastly served as the Chairman and General Manager of the Anadolu Agency between 2014 and 2021. At the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting for 2020, held on April 15, 2021, Şenol Kazancı was elected to the Member of the Turkcell Board of Directors.
Sir Julian Horn-Smith
Board Member
Sir Julian Horn-Smith was born in London, in 1948 and graduated from Hons London University, Department of Economics. He completed his master's degree in Business Administration at Bath University and was awarded with an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Bath. He held various senior positions at Vodafone Group between 1984 and 2006, and served as Deputy General Manager between 2000 and 2006. Sir Julian served as the Member of the Board of Directors and Risk Committee of Lloyds Banking Group and Advisor to the Chairman of Etisalat. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of eBuilder AB (Sweden) and Board Member of the Digicel Group. He works as consultant at FTSE Directorships, AlixPartners and UBS Investment Bank. At the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting for 2020, held on April 15, 2021, Sir Julian Horn-Smith was elected to the Member of the Turkcell Board of Directors.
Afif Demirkıran
Independent Board Member
Afif Demirkıran was born in Siirt in 1952. Having completed his primary and secondary education in Siirt, Afif Demirkıran graduated from Mining Faculty of Istanbul Technical University in 1973. Later he studied engineering and had master’s degree at the Leeds University in UK. He served as an executive in Etibank, as Head of Foreign Investment Department at the Undersecretariat of State Planning Organization, as General Manager of Foreign Investment Directorate at the Undersecretariat of Treasury, as a Board Member of Eregli Iron and Steel Inc. and Sümerbank A.Ş., as various executive positions in private sector companies, as General Manager and Chairman of Turkish Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (TEAŞ), and as General Manager of Vakıf Enerji ve Madencilik A.Ş.. Being active in politics since 2002, Afif Demirkıran served as Batman Deputy in the 22nd, and Siirt Deputy at the 23rd and 24th periods of the Grand National Assembly Turkey. In the 22nd period, he also served as a member of the State Economic Commission for Enterprises, member of Turkish Group OSCE PA and member of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission. In the 23rd and 24th periods, he was the President in the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission. In the 22nd, 23rd and 24th periods, he served as the Chairman of Turkey-Spain Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group. In the 24th period, he also was the Deputy Chairman of Turkey-Pakistan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group. Since 2016, he has been the Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs Directorate of Justice and Development Party. Mr. Demirkıran was appointed to the Turkcell Board of Directors by Capital Markets Board Decision effective as of March 6, 2020. At the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting for 2020, held on April 15, 2021, Afif Demirkıran was re-elected to the Independent Member of the Turkcell Board of Directors. He is married and has four children.
Hüseyin Arslan
Independent Board Member
He was born in Aydın, in 1968. He graduated from Middle East Technical University, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 1992. He completed his master's degree in 1994 and his doctorate in 1998 at the Southern Methodist University Electrical Engineering Department. Hüseyin Arslan worked as research engineer at ERICSSON, consultant at ANRITSU Company, and held Membership of TÜBİTAK Science Board and ULAK A.Ş and he has also won numerous national and international scientific awards. Hüseyin Arslan received his professor degree in 2013, and is currently working as faculty member at Istanbul Medipol University and South Florida University, and as consultant at TÜBİTAK. At the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting for 2020, held on April 15, 2021, Hüseyin Arslan was elected to the Independent Member of the Turkcell Board of Directors.
Serdar Çetin
Independent Board Member
Serdar Cetin graduated from Middle East Technical University, Civil Engineering department and holds an MSc in Management (Grande Ecole) from HEC School of Management in Paris with a major in strategic management. Serdar Cetin has served at the board of Play Group from July 2007 till November 2020. He was a management board member of Play (P4 Sp.zo.o.) from its inception (July 2005) till October 2006 and was a supervisory board member between July 2007 and June 2017. Following the IPO of Play Group, he was appointed as a member of the Audit Committee, Remuneration and Nomination Committee and Operational and Investment Committee of Play Communications S.A. until its sale to Iliad in November 2020. Serdar Cetin was a board member of Turknet Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. and its then parent company NetOne Holdings S.a.r.l., between 2007 until April 2013. He served as a board member or board observer in several telco or technology companies including Machinezone, which is now acquired by Applovin (USA), Netia (Poland), Forthnet (Greece) and Be* Unlimited (UK). In addition, he served as a board member of AASA Polska from August 2015 to December 2019. Serdar Cetin is a board member of WOM S.A. Chile since July 2015. Additionally, he is a partner of Novator Partners LLP, a London based investment advisory firm. Prior to joining Novator, Mr. Cetin worked at Merrill Lynch investment banking and BNP Paribas Asset Management in London. At the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting for 2021, held on June 16, 2022, Serdar Cetin was elected to the Independent Member of the Turkcell Board of Directors. He is fluent in English and French.
