TÜSİAD's new president has been determined

The Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) gathered at the General Assembly to determine its new management. Ozan Diren, who was serving as Vice President, was unanimously elected as president for the 2026-2027 term in the election where he participated as the sole candidate. The board of directors under Diren's presidency is expected to include names such as Meltem Akol, Elif Çoban, Fatih Kemal Ebiçlioğlu, Azmi Gümüşoğlu, Aslıhan Güreşçier, Perihan İnci, Şerafettin Karakış, Ömer Mert, İbrahim İzzet Özilhan, Ahu Serter, and Feyyaz Ünal.

While the General Assembly meeting was held in Istanbul, the opening speeches were delivered by TÜSİAD High Advisory Council President Ömer Aras and the outgoing President Orhan Turan. Emotional moments were also experienced during the meeting. While handing over his duties, Orhan Turan read lines from Nazım Hikmet's poem "Invitation" (Davet).

TÜSİAD High Advisory Council Honorary President Rahmi Koç presented a plaque to Orhan Turan, whose term has ended. In his speech, Turan stated, "The most important lesson that Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the Republic taught us is this: No achievement is permanent. It can only be carried forward with labor, reason, and responsibility. Today I am leaving a position, but not a responsibility."

Orhan Turan concluded his speech with the following words: "I want to end this speech with a voice that reminds us of hope, with the lines of Nazım Hikmet. Today is his 124th birthday. 'To live like a tree single and free, and like a forest in brotherhood.' These lines are not just a call for hope, but an invitation to responsibility. This country belongs to all of us. This country is ours. This country will rise on the shoulders of those who think, produce, and take responsibility. I am leaving the position today, but I am not leaving this invitation, this responsibility. We will continue to think for Turkey together. Because this country is ours."

TÜSİAD, one of the country's important business organizations, was founded on April 2, 1971. The founding families include Turkey's leading holdings such as Koç, Yaşar, Tekfen, Eczacıbaşı, Sabancı, and Boyner.

WHO IS OZAN DİREN?

Ozan Diren serves as a Board Member within the family company Diren Holding and is the CEO of DİMES. Diren, who began his education in industrial engineering at Istanbul Technical University, subsequently received a master's degree in marketing from the University of Hartford in the USA. Having completed a finance specialization program at Istanbul University, Diren developed his business experience by working in various departments of the company. He had been serving as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of TÜSİAD since 2024.

News Source: 12punto