TFI
LEADERSHIP
Board Of Directors
Erhan Kurdoğlu Chairman of the Board
Erhan Kurdoğlu has served as Chairman of the board of directors since founding TFI. Mr. Kurdoğlu worked as Assistant General Coordinator at Ata İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. from 1987 to 1991 before founding Ekur İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. in 1993. After founding TFI in 1994, TFI acquired the rights to Burger King in Turkey in 1995. Also in 1995, he founded Fasdat Gıda Dağıtım Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. as the first Ecosystem company. Mr. Kurdoğlu has a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami.
Korhan Kurdoğlu Vice President of the Board and CEO
Korhan Kurdoğlu has served on the board of directors as the Vice President of the Board since founding TFI. Mr. Kurdoğlu is a founding member and shareholder of TFI and also serves as Chief Executive Officer. He is a member of the board of directors for numerous companies owned or controlled by the Kurdoğlu family and a founding shareholder of 35 companies. Mr. Kurdoğlu served as Chairman of the Turkey–China Business Council of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK) from 2019 to 2025 and is the President of China Network at the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD).He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami in 1987 and also holds a Master's degree in International Affairs from Columbia University.
Erhan Cansu Board Member
Erhan Cansu, a member of TFI TAB Food Investments since 2016, is also a member of the Board of Directors and CEO at Ekmek Unlu Gıda San. ve Tic. A.Ş and Ekur et Entegre San. ve Tic. A.Ş. Since 2012, Cansu has been a member of the Board of Directors at Atakey Patates Gıda San. ve Tic. A.Ş. as well as a manager at Ekur İnşaat A.Ş. and MES Mutfak A.Ş.
Cansu managed the establishment stages of four food production facilities under TFI TAB Food Investments, prior to which he worked for 7 years in the field of building automation at Alarko San. ve Tic. A.Ş.
Cansu is a graduate of Istanbul Technical University Electrical Engineering and graduated from Istanbul University’ Faculty of Business Administration Economics with an honors degree in International Business Administration.
Cansu is a graduate of Istanbul Technical University Electrical Engineering and graduated from Istanbul University’ Faculty of Business Administration Economics with an honors degree in International Business Administration.
Recep Caner Dikici Board Member
Recep Caner Dikici served as the CEO of TAB GIDA from 2004 to 2023, after which he has been serving as a Board Member since April 2023. Prior to joining TAB GIDA, he served as the founder of KOÇ-ATA Farm and previously managed the activities of Ata Construction's timber factory. Recep Caner Dikici, who graduated from the Middle East Technical University's Department of Electrical-Electronics Engineering, holds a Master's degree in Electronic Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Additionally, he holds an associate degree in Agriculture and a bachelor's degree in Gastronomy from Eskişehir Anadolu University. In addition to his role at TAB GIDA, he also serves as a Board Member at TFI TAB GIDA Investments Inc., Burger King China, and AtaSancak Inc.
Murat Demirel Board Member
Mr. Demirel’s experience encapsulates a broad range of international engagements and a proven track record of transforming various businesses within the financial services industry.
Before joining Ata in 2011, he was a Managing Director – Global Head of Commercial Operations at Barclays with responsibility for driving the expansion of its International Wealth Management business through the development and delivery of commercial strategies for the EMEA region. He led the overall sales, business development, and client relationship activities as well as product development efforts. Before his departure, he was responsible for all of the London-based international business.
Before joining Barclays, Mr. Demirel was the General Manager of Citibank (Switzerland) during 2006 and 2008, the second-largest foreign bank in Switzerland with over $30 bln of assets under management covering global clients.
Between 2001 and 2006 he was with UBS in London. As an Executive Director of the Investment Bank, he worked directly under the leadership of the CEO of UBS Warburg in his Strategy & Business Development team responsible for covering the bank’s corporate advisory, institutional equities, fixed income, and private equity businesses.
Prior to that, he spent six years with Goldman Sachs in New York, where he started his career in investment banking focusing on covering financial institutions and working on M&A transactions. Mr. Demirel has served in various locations throughout his career including New York, London, Geneva, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.
In 2007, while heading Citi Switzerland, Mr. Demirel was selected as one of Market Magazine’s “50 Most Influential Bankers”.Mr. Demirel has a post-graduate degree in Quantitative Economics from Queens College and holds several Honors and Distinguished Service Awards. He completed his secondary school education in Bern, Switzerland.
He speaks fluent English, German, French and Turkish.
Before joining Barclays, Mr. Demirel was the General Manager of Citibank (Switzerland) during 2006 and 2008, the second-largest foreign bank in Switzerland with over $30 bln of assets under management covering global clients.
Between 2001 and 2006 he was with UBS in London. As an Executive Director of the Investment Bank, he worked directly under the leadership of the CEO of UBS Warburg in his Strategy & Business Development team responsible for covering the bank’s corporate advisory, institutional equities, fixed income, and private equity businesses.
Prior to that, he spent six years with Goldman Sachs in New York, where he started his career in investment banking focusing on covering financial institutions and working on M&A transactions. Mr. Demirel has served in various locations throughout his career including New York, London, Geneva, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.
In 2007, while heading Citi Switzerland, Mr. Demirel was selected as one of Market Magazine’s “50 Most Influential Bankers”.Mr. Demirel has a post-graduate degree in Quantitative Economics from Queens College and holds several Honors and Distinguished Service Awards. He completed his secondary school education in Bern, Switzerland.
He speaks fluent English, German, French and Turkish.
Elmas Melih Araz Board Member
Melih Araz completed high school at Robert College and graduated from the Faculty of Political Science at Ankara University in 1972. As a USAID/TEV scholar, he earned his MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in 1975. He also completed the Executive Education program at Harvard Business School in 1988. Mr. Araz began his career in finance and banking in 1977 at Citibank N.A.’s Turkish operations. He held senior positions at the bank’s branches in Istanbul, Bahrain, Athens, and New York, and played a key role in establishing and expanding Citibank’s Turkish operations. Subsequently, Melih Araz served as CEO/General Manager at Interbank A.Ş.—a subsidiary of Çukurova Holding—for eight years, playing a leading role in establishing Interbank as a respected institution in Turkey's corporate and investment banking. After Interbank, Melih Araz served as a consultant on major projects and as an independent member of the board of directors at Zorlu Enerji Elektrik Üretim A.Ş. (2008–2013 and 2018–2020), Enka İnşaat ve Sanayi A.Ş. (2012–2018), Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. (2018–2024), Vestel Beyaz Eşya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. (2018–2024), and TFI Burger King China JV (2012–2025), as well as Zorlu Yenilenebilir Enerji (2024–2025). Mr. Araz currently holds senior positions within the Ata Group. He continues to serve as a Board Member at Ata Yatırım Menkul Kıymetler A.Ş., Ata Gayrimenkul Yatırım Ortaklığı A.Ş., TFI Gıda Yatırımları A.Ş., İzmir Enternasyonel Otelcilik A.Ş., and Entegre Harç Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. Melih Araz also assumed the role of Independent Board Member at Zorlu Holding A.Ş. in 2024.
Hasan Akçakayalıoğlu Board Member
Hasan Akçakayalıoğlu joined TFI TAB Food Investments as an Independent Board Member in July 2019. After completing university education, Mr. Akçakayalıoğlu worked at the London and Istanbul offices of Arthur Andersen and Andersen Consulting. He has held various positions, including manager, general manager, and board member, at various banks and financial institutions in the Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey. From 2002 to 2024, he served as Chairman of the Board at Bank Pozitif (Istanbul) and C Faktoring A.Ş. Currently serving as Chairman of the Board at Demir Kyrgyz International Bank (Bishkek), Mr. Akçakayalıoğlu has been a member of the Board of Directors at Expo Faktoring A.Ş. since October 2018. Hasan Akçakayalıoğlu continues to serve as an independent board member at Abdi İbrahim Pharmaceutical Industry and Trade Inc. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Middle East Technical University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Yeditepe University. Previously, he served as a member of the Board of Directors at TÜSİAD (Turkish Industry and Business Association) and as Chairman of the Business Council of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK).
Dr. Yılmaz Argüden Board Member
Dr. Yılmaz Argüden joined the Board of Directors of TFI TAB Food Investments in 2022. He is the Chairman of the Board of ARGE Consulting, a globally recognized firm known for preparing organizations for the future, for the creative and innovative management strategies he has developed, and for his contributions to society. Mr. Argüden provides management consulting services to numerous Turkish and international companies on strategy, business excellence, institutionalization, sustainability, and governance. He also serves as Chair of the Business at the OECD Governance Committee and as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Argüden Governance Academy Foundation. Dr. Yılmaz Argüden began his career at the Koç Holding R&D Center, worked as a strategic analysis specialist at the Rand Corporation, and later served as Section Chief in the World Bank’s Credit Department. Mr. Argüden was invited to Turkey by the government, oversaw the privatization program from 1988 to 1990, and served as Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister (Economy) in 1991. He has served as an independent board member for over 70 companies across four countries. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors at Erdemir from 1997 to 1999 and Founding Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rothschild & Co. Investment Bank in Turkey from 2007 to 2024. Dr. Yılmaz Argüden, who was elected Global Chair of the UN Global Compact National Networks in 2013, has served on the organization’s Board of Directors. He launched the National Quality Movement during his tenure as Chairman of the KalDer Board of Directors. He is a founding member of the Turkish-American and Turkish-Canadian Business Councils. He has also served as Vice President of the Corporate Volunteers Association (ÖSGD), as a member of the Board of Directors of TESEV (Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation) and TEGV (Education Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye), and later as a member of their High Advisory Board. Dr. Yılmaz Argüden served as Vice President of the Turkish Basketball Federation and was named one of the “100 Global Leaders of the Future” by the World Economic Forum. He received the “Distinguished Leadership” award from the International Society of Industrial Engineers and has taught strategy courses at Boğaziçi University, Koç University, and the Military Academy. Dr. Yılmaz Argüden has authored more than 700 articles and opinion pieces, as well as more than 40 published works.
TFI Executives
Kübra Erman Karaca CTO – ATP Capital Board Member
Kübra Erman Karaca has been working as the Chief Technology Officer since 2014, in addition, she is a member of the Board of Directors of ATP Capital (ATP GSYO) and an Independent Board Member of Index Group.
Karaca previously worked as the CEO of ATP / Tradesoft, the Executive Vice President responsible for Information Technologies at Körfezbank, and has led the change, BPR and unification projects of Doğuş Group Banks. She also worked as a Senior Manager in technology companies of Akbank, Garanti Bank and Yapı Kredi Bank.
Karaca is also a member of the Council of Presidents of TÜBİSAD (Turkish Informatics Industry Association). She was the first woman President of TÜBİSAD Board of Directors serving between October, 2015 - March, 2021, and also the first woman to receive the "Tübisad-TBD Lifetime Award".
Karaca, holds Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and Master of Science in Computer Engineering from Ege University and she completed her education as a TÜBİTAK scholar.
Karaca previously worked as the CEO of ATP / Tradesoft, the Executive Vice President responsible for Information Technologies at Körfezbank, and has led the change, BPR and unification projects of Doğuş Group Banks. She also worked as a Senior Manager in technology companies of Akbank, Garanti Bank and Yapı Kredi Bank.
Karaca is also a member of the Council of Presidents of TÜBİSAD (Turkish Informatics Industry Association). She was the first woman President of TÜBİSAD Board of Directors serving between October, 2015 - March, 2021, and also the first woman to receive the "Tübisad-TBD Lifetime Award".
Karaca, holds Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and Master of Science in Computer Engineering from Ege University and she completed her education as a TÜBİTAK scholar.
Sinan Ünal CMO, TAB Gıda Co-CEO
Sinan Ünal joined TAB Food Investments (TFI) in 2019 as the CMO after holding strategic positions in global companies such as Total Oil and The Coca-Cola Company. Ünal was lastly working as the Strategic Customers and On-Premise Consumption Channel Director at Coca-Cola. He graduated from the Economics Department of Galatasaray University and completed the Executive MBA program at the same university. Ünal who is married and father of two, is proficient in English and French.
Furkan Ünal Group CFO, TAB Gıda - Atakey Board Member
Starting his career in a global consultancy firm, Ünal has managed projects in finance, strategy, economy, and management in more than 10 countries on behalf of multinational organizations. Prior to joining TFI TAB Gıda Investments, he served as Kardemir's CFO for 5 years and previously served as the Deputy General Manager and Executive Board Member in charge of Corporate Finance and Investments at AktifBank, and Chief Advisor to the Board of Directors at Taib Bank, a subsidiary of Dubai Group.
He is currently an Independent Member of the Board of Directors in two separate banks in Kazakhstan and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and a Member of the Advisory Board in a company traded on the US Nasdaq stock exchange, where Aramco is among its investors.
After completing his education in Engineering, Mr. Ünal earned an MBA and a Finance Master's degree from Bilgi University. He continues his PhD in Business Administration at the same university.
He is currently an Independent Member of the Board of Directors in two separate banks in Kazakhstan and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and a Member of the Advisory Board in a company traded on the US Nasdaq stock exchange, where Aramco is among its investors.
After completing his education in Engineering, Mr. Ünal earned an MBA and a Finance Master's degree from Bilgi University. He continues his PhD in Business Administration at the same university.
Ecosystem Executives
Cem Kurdoğlu CEO, Fasdat
Kurdoğlu started his career as the Purchasing Manager in the Purchasing department of Fasdat Gıda. He was the Deputy Head of Purchasing at TAB Gıda from 2002 to 2004, Head of Purchasing at Fasdat Gıda from 2005, Sales director for Purchasing from 2006 to 2014, and Deputy CEO in charge of all units since 2014. Kurdoğlu is a graduate of Geological Engineering at Istanbul University.
