Bülent Eczacıbaşı (, born 1949) is an esteemed Turkish businessman. He is chairman of the board at

Eczacıbaşı Holding Eczacıbaşı Holding is a Turkish industrial group of companies founded in 1942. As of 2023, the Group's 50 companies employ more than 13,500 people, operate 40 production plants, and generate a combined net turnover of TL 33 billion. Group E ...

, a Turkish conglomerate founded by his father,

Nejat Eczacıbaşı Mehmet Nejat Ferit Eczacıbaşı (; January 5, 1913 – October 6, 1993) was a Turkish chemist, industrialist, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was a second-generation member of the notable Turkish Eczacıbaşı family. He was the founder of Ec ...

Background

Bülent Eczacıbaşı was born in

İstanbul Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With a population over , it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in th ...

in 1949 to Nejat Eczacıbaşı (1913–1993), founder of the Eczacıbaşı Group of Companies, and his wife Fatma Beyhan (née Ergene) (1923–2004). He has a younger brother, Faruk, who was born in 1954. Bülent Eczacıbaşı graduated from

Imperial College London Imperial College London, also known as Imperial, is a Public university, public research university in London, England. Its history began with Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, who envisioned a Al ...

after his secondary education at the

Deutsche Schule Istanbul Deutsche Schule Istanbul (, shortened as DSI), with formal Turkish language, Turkish name Özel Alman Lisesi () or İstanbul Alman Lisesi () or simply Alman Lisesi () is a Private school, private international high school in the Beyoğlu district o ...

. He obtained his

master's degree A master's degree (from Latin ) is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional prac ...

chemical engineering Chemical engineering is an engineering field which deals with the study of the operation and design of chemical plants as well as methods of improving production. Chemical engineers develop economical commercial processes to convert raw materials ...

from the

Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a Private university, private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Established in 1861, MIT has played a significant role in the development of many areas of moder ...

. After initiating his professional career in 1974 at Eczacıbaşı Holding, he held a variety of managerial positions in the Holding's subsidiaries. In 1995, he took on his current position as Chairman of Eczacıbaşı Holding. Bülent Eczacibasi is married to Oya Esener (born 1959), the daughter of Prof. Turhan Esener, who twice served as Turkey's Labour and Social Security Minister. They have a son, Nejat Emre, and a daughter, Esra, who work at Eczacıbaşı Holding. Both Bülent Eczacıbaşı and Oya Eczacıbaşı are major benefactors to the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art. Oya Eczacıbaşı is Chair of the Museum's board. Bülent Eczacıbaşı has received French and Italian awards of merit, respectively the “Chevalier dans l'Ordre National de la Légiond'Honneur” (The National Order of the Legion of Honour) and “Commendatore dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia” (Order of the Star of Italy). He is the author of ''A Rip in the Sea: New Responsibilities for Business'' (2020), a book about his experiences in business and the new roles and responsibilities of business leaders. Bülent Eczacıbaşı is also an avid photographer, and in 2020, a selection of photographs he shot during his travels was published under the title "From the Road".

Civic Involvement

Bülent Eczacıbaşı has served at the senior level of prominent business associations, including TÜSIAD, the

Turkish Industry and Business Association TÜSİAD, the Turkish Industry and Business Association (), is Turkey's top business organization. Founded in 1971, TÜSİAD is a voluntary, independent, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting public welfare through private enterpris ...

, where he was Chairman of the Board (1991–1993) and Chairman of the High Advisory Council (1997–2001), and th
Turkish Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers Association (İEİS)
where he was Chairman of the Board (2000–2008). He continues to serve both TÜSİAD and İEİS as Honorary Chairman. He is also an Honorary Member of th
Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK)
and th
Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation (TÜRKONFED)
and a member of the High Advisory Council of th
Aegean Industry and Business Association
(ESİAD). Additionally, Bülent Eczacıbaşı serves on the board of several major civic organizations. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of th
Istanbul Modern Art Foundation
Chairman of the Board of Directors of th
Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV)
and a member of the High Advisory Board of th
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
where he previously served as the Founding Chairman (1993–1997).

References

External links

Eczacıbaşı Holding official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eczacibasi, Bulent Deutsche Schule Istanbul alumni 1949 births Businesspeople from Istanbul Alumni of Imperial College London MIT School of Engineering alumni Turkish billionaires Bulent Museum founders Living people Turkish chief executives