Bülent Eczacıbaşı
Bülent Eczacıbaşı | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1949 Istanbul, Turkey |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Chairman of Eczacıbaşı Holding |
| Known for | Chairman of Eczacıbaşı Holding, leadership roles in Turkish business associations |
Bülent Eczacıbaşı (born 1949) is a distinguished Turkish entrepreneur serving as the chairman of the board at Eczacıbaşı Holding, a leading Turkish conglomerate established by his father, Nejat Eczacıbaşı.
Background
Bülent was born in İstanbul in 1949 to Nejat Eczacıbaşı (1913–1993), the founder of the Eczacıbaşı Group, and Fatma Beyhan (née Ergene) (1923–2004). He has a younger sibling, Faruk Eczacıbaşı. After completing his secondary schooling at Deutsche Schule Istanbul, he graduated from Imperial College London and later obtained a master's degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His professional journey began in 1974 at Eczacıbaşı Holding, where he progressed through multiple leadership positions before assuming the role of Chairman in 1995.
He is married to Oya Esener, daughter of former Turkish Labour and Social Security Minister Prof. Turhan Esener. Their children, Nejat Emre and Esra, actively participate in the operations of Eczacıbaşı Holding. Both Bülent and Oya are notable patrons of the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, with Oya holding the position of Chair on its board.
Among his accolades are France’s “Chevalier dans l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur” and Italy’s “Commendatore dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia.” In 2020, he published A Rip in the Sea: New Responsibilities for Business, a work exploring themes of corporate leadership and social accountability. Additionally, Bülent is passionate about photography; his travel images were compiled into a book titled "From the Road," also released in 2020.
Civic Involvement
Bülent Eczacıbaşı has occupied prominent positions within influential business associations. He served as Chairman of the Board at TÜSİAD (Turkish Industry and Business Association) between 1991 and 1993, and later as Chairman of its High Advisory Council from 1997 to 2001. From 2000 until 2008, he led the Turkish Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers Association (İEİS) as its Chairman. Currently, he holds honorary chairmanships at both TÜSİAD and İEİS and is an Honorary Member of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) as well as the Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation (TÜRKONFED). Furthermore, he participates on the High Advisory Council of the Aegean Industry and Business Association (ESİAD).
His leadership extends to cultural and social organizations: he is Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Istanbul Modern Art Foundation, heads the Board of Directors at Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV), and contributes as a member of the High Advisory Board at the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV), where he was also Founding Chairman from 1993 to 1997.