Advisory Board
Levend İşanlar:
Levend İşanlar is graduated from Ithaca College, School of Business in 1989. Following his graduation, he lived in Canada for 2 years until his return to Turkey in 1991 when he joined Finansbank as equity salesperson. In 1994, he moved to London, where he had 5 years experience working for boutique and large scale investment banks such as Carnegie and Bankers Trust. In 1995, Levend's team was ranked #1 Sales Team by Extel.
Upon his return to Turkey, he took a partnership position in one of the sector's most respected boutique firms, Bender Securities which was subsequently acquired by Deutsche Bank. Under a combined period of almost 10 years, the firm was recognized for successful secondary market brokerage activity, block placements and many IPOs which include Turkey' largest privatization, Turk Telekom. The team was also credited for the succesful launch of Turkey's Futures and Options Market. In 2008, Levend was asked to join UniCredit as Head of Equities to set up equities and derivatives business. During this time his team was involved in another successful IPO privatisation of Emlak Konut.
In 2011, Levend retired from active banking to pursue his dream of livestock farming which he coincidentally started in 2003 to help his relatives wheather to storm of 2002 economic crisis in Turkey. In almost 15 years, the small initiative of 10 animals became a sizeable dairy and beef farm of 300 cows. During that period, he continued to serve as independent consultant of investment banking on project basis. Levend still enjoys being farmer.
Levend İşanlar is a seasoned professional with a demonstrated history of 20 years working in financial services industry and 15 years in agriculture sector. His solid experience in global emerging markets and investment banking, especially equities, IPOs complemented by his understanding of investor relations, corporate finance and advisory coupled with hard earned success in livestock business gives him a unique perspective
Okan Hemşinlioğlu - Lawyer:
Mr. Hemsinlioglu has extensive experience of 30 years in his professional work hich span a wide range of business sectors, but he is particularly active in the energy, healthcare, real estate, telecom, technology, professional services, chemicals, industrial and consumer products.
His core expertise covers International Arbitration, Foreign Investments, M&A, Privatization, Energy Law, Real Estate Law, Law of Contracts, Company Law and Tax Law.
He has significant experience in representing the clients in mergers & acquisitions, takeovers, spin-off and divestitures, management & leveraged buyouts, equity investments, corporate governance and various corporate matters.
Mr. Hemsinlioglu, as an expert in legal counsel and litigation, represents and counsels top tier industry leaders in connection with a wide range of litigation and arbitration matters, including allegations of fraud and misrepresentation, breach of contract, bankruptcy and class actions.
He, for many years, is offering his wide experience of litigation risk to his clients from numerous business sectors and also helps his clients to avoid or mitigate the risk exposure associated with mergers and acquisitions, and other financial transactions.
His broad experience in the energy sector enables his clients to be well informed and counseled in their regulatory, financial and commercial issues in all aspects of the law affecting the energy industry, including electric and natural gas regulation, project development and financing, mergers and acquisitions, EPC contracting and construction services and alternative investments.
Okan has accumulated an exhaustive understanding of a variety of projects and structures and a broad base of knowledge which he brings to his advisory practice. He has been involved in construction projects, joint ventures, merger & acquisitions and domestic and international loan transactions.
He is the Founder of Hemsinlioglu Law Firm established in Istanbul, Turkey and also the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Bosphorus Law Firm with its offices in Turkey and Greece.
He is graduate of Istanbul University, Faculty of Law.
Mr. Hemsinlioglu is a member of Istanbul Bar Association.
Yüksel Güleç:
Born in 1970, Yüksel Güleç is graduated from Anadolu University School of Management. Following his Master's Degree from İstanbul Commerce University, he worked for London based Moore Stephens between 1993-2004 as Assistant Auditor, Auditor and Chief Auditor. During this period he gained significant exposure and experience in auditing many leading companies of Turkish private sector.
In 2005, Mr. Güleç set up his own advisory firm, MS Destek Consulting and expanded his area of services to financial advisory, M&A, liquidation and IPO.
Between 2011 - 2014 he gave professional training courses in TURMOB and ISMMO. In 2014 he obtained his CPA Certificate from Turkey Public Oversight Accounting and Auditing Standarts Authority
Mr Güleç currently works at CPATURK Independent Auditing and Sworn Tax Advisory Co. as Senior Partner.
Kemal Kaan Çakır:
General Capabilities:
Trilingual: Turkish (native speaker), English (advanced), French (fluent)
Rotary International student - senior year (High School)
In-depth, hands-on knowledge of business in Turkey
Education:
Bogazici University (Bosphorus University), Istanbul, Turkey – Executive MBA – July 2014
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA - BA in Economics, Specialization on Business - 2009
Lycée Saint Michel, Istanbul, Turkey - French High School Diploma - 2005
Cheboygan High School, Cheboygan, MI - Rotary Exchange Student - 2004
Professional (Business and International) Experience:
Eren Holding Holding A.S June 2015 - Present
Senior Specialist, Project Finance & International Investments, Istanbul -Turkey
Performed as Project Manager – EUR 30 mn Greenfield Investment in Greece. (Completed in March 2017)
Works and reports directly to CFO and the Chairman
Performs business development activities abroad. Associates with potential clients and investors.
Actively participates internal process improvement works
Conducts research and financial modeling, along with feasibility studies.
Prepares weekly credit reports, attends regular credit meetings with banks.
Dogan Sirketler Grubu Holding A.S October 2012 - November 2014
Associate, Business Development, Istanbul -Turkey
Works on privatization projects
Analyses business sectors and market conditions both domestic and internationally
Performs financial analysis of companies, macro-economic analysis of countries.
Pricewaterhouse Coopers March 2011 –Augst2012
Associate, Corporate Finance - Mergers & Acquisitions, Istanbul -Turkey
Analyses business sectors and market conditions
Prepares official corporate finance documents (Information memorandum, teaser, cost accounts, etc.)
Performs financial analysis of companies, macro-economic analysis of countries.
Communicates with clients and conducts specific company researches and basic investor relations activities.
Works at acquisition deals, completed one project over TL 100mn.
UniCredit Menkul Degerler A.S February 2010 - March 2011
Financial Advisory - Equity Sales - Research, Istanbul – Turkey (Internship)
Worked at Project Finance, Equity Sales and Research departments.
Prepared macro presentations and assisted to prepare company research reports.
Prepared monthly volume reports on both equities and derivatives, also prepared daily market news .
Attended Managerial Finance lectures at Koc University MBA program as a guest.
Attended Bloomberg instructional trainings.
Yonet – Moore Stephens CPA & Auditing Company Summer 2006 & 2007
Audit Team - Intern, Istanbul - Turkey
Worked within auditing team to learn and apply the basic principles of auditing and consulting.
Certifications
Financial Modelling and Valuation: Level 1&2 - NYAkademi 2016
Corporate Finance - Sabancı University, Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF) March 2017