Ömer Koç
Mehmet Ömer Koç | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 24, 1962 Ankara, Turkey |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, art collector |
| Known for | Chairman of Koç Holding |
Mehmet Ömer Koç (born 24 March 1962) is a prominent Turkish entrepreneur, art enthusiast, and the chairman of Koç Holding. In 2013, his net worth was valued at approximately US$1.1 billion by Forbes.
Early life
Koç was born in Ankara, Turkey, as the second son of Rahmi Koç and the grandson of Vehbi Koç, the founder of Koç Holding. His education includes graduation from Robert College in Istanbul, attendance at Millfield School in the United Kingdom, studies at Georgetown University, and earning a bachelor's degree in Ancient Greek from Columbia College in 1985. He further obtained an MBA from Columbia Business School in 1989.
Career
His professional journey started at Kofisa Trading Company located in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1992, he entered the family enterprise as a finance coordinator, advancing to roles such as vice president and president of the Energy Group. By 2004, Koç became a board member and was promoted to vice chairman in 2008. After the passing of his brother, Mustafa Vehbi Koç, in 2016, he assumed the chairmanship of Koç Holding, Turkey’s largest corporation, which accounts for nearly 10% of the country’s GDP and is the sole Turkish company featured on the Fortune 500 list.
In addition, he holds the chairmanship of Tüpraş, Turkey’s leading oil refining and industrial firm, and presides over the board of trustees at Koç University. As of January 2018, his ownership stake in Koç Holding stood at 0.74%.
Koç is also a member of the steering committee for the prestigious Bilderberg meeting and chairs the board of trustees for the Turkish Education Foundation (Türk Eğitim Vakfı, TEV).
Art collection
Although maintaining a discreet public presence, Koç lives in London and is deeply passionate about collecting both contemporary and classical art. He supports significant cultural initiatives such as the Istanbul Biennial and Turkey’s representation at the Venice Biennale. In 2010, he established the nonprofit art venue Arter, demonstrating his dedication to promoting contemporary art within Turkey. His impact on the art world earned him recognition among the "100 Most Influential People" by ArtReview in 2016.
Furthermore, Koç exhibits a profound interest in Ottoman art, possessing an extensive collection of Iznik pottery. His private assemblage is considered one of the most distinguished globally concerning Ottoman artifacts and literature, highlighting his vital contribution to safeguarding Turkey’s cultural legacy.