Leadership Transition at Doğan Holding

Doğan Holding has announced a significant leadership transition: Begüm Doğan Faralyalı, Chairperson of the Board of Doğan Şirketler Grubu Holding A.Ş., will step down after 13 transformative years at the helm. Effective February 1, 2025, Hanzade Doğan, currently Vice Chairperson, will assume the role of Chairperson. Begüm Doğan Faralyalı will continue her contributions to the Group as a Board Member.

Over the past 13 years under Begüm Doğan Faralyalı's leadership, Doğan Holding has undergone a significant transformation in its investment portfolio. The Group exited various sectors, including media, and strategically entered new and emerging industries. Under her leadership, the company pioneered renewable energy initiatives by establishing GalataWind and gained a strong foothold in the finance sector through Doğan Investment Bank. Pursuing its strategy of fostering regional players through value-added partnerships, Doğan Holding invested in the flexible packaging sector with SESA and the communications and electronics sector with KAREL. The Group also launched Hepiyi Sigorta with an entrepreneurial team. Doğan Trend Otomotiv expanded its mobility footprint by launching new brands and exploring emerging opportunities. Kanal D Romania solidified its position as one of the strongest media groups in the country, with radio, digital platforms, and a second TV channel. Recently, the Doğan Group made a robust entry into the mining sector with the acquisitions of Gümüştaş and Esen Maden.

In her message to Group employees about the leadership change, Begüm Doğan Faralyalı stated: "Exactly 13 years ago, in January 2012, I assumed the position of Chairperson of the Board at Doğan Holding. As of February 1, I will be passing this responsibility to my dear sister, Hanzade Doğan. When I took office during a period of immense challenges, my primary goal was to unite all members of the great Doğan Family under a shared vision. My ideal was to cultivate a 'culture of succeeding together' and guide our Group toward a sustainable future that would endure for generations. Reflecting on these 13 years, I am proud of the remarkable transformations we have achieved together as a team, overcoming numerous challenges along the way. This fills me with immense happiness. We have evolved into an agile, dynamic, and value-driven investment holding company. Throughout this journey, our focus extended beyond business outcomes. We launched numerous initiatives driven by the belief that our most significant competitive edge lies in our people and organizational culture. Over the past 8 years, we successfully elevated our cultural health score from 28 to 58. As a result, we continued to climb the ranks of the most sought-after company to work for.

There is still much to accomplish and many opportunities ahead. That is why I believe this is the perfect time to entrust the legacy of success, with its dedicated employees, esteemed reputation, and financial strength, to our next leader, the new Chairperson of the Board. I do so with great confidence.”

Begüm Doğan Faralyalı expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all Group employees who have supported her over the years and concluded: "It fills me with great excitement to pass on the torch, entrusted to us by our founder, to my sister, Hanzade Doğan, with immense pride. Beyond being an exceptionally accomplished business leader, she stands as one of Türkiye’s most significant entrepreneurs—a visionary who has driven the digitalization of our country through the innovative brands she has created. As we approach Doğan Group’s 70th anniversary, I am confident that under her leadership, we will achieve even greater heights.”

Hanzade Doğan also shared her thoughts on the leadership transition: "On behalf of our family and Doğan Group, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my dear sister Begüm for her prudent and successful leadership. Through her value-driven and inclusive approach, Begüm led the Group through its most challenging times and spearheaded critical transformations. It is an honor to take over from her. Having celebrated 65 years of success, we remain united in our shared goal of propelling the Group forward. Together with all our stakeholders, we will continue to work toward achieving this vision.”

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