EMPEA is delighted to announce the appointment of Barış Öney, Founder and Managing Partner of EMPEA Member Firm Globalturk Capital, as EMPEA Country Representative – Turkey. Drawing on his long-term experience and expertise in the market, Mr. Öney will support EMPEA’s industry advocacy within Turkey and regionally, emphasizing the importance of private capital investment for sustainable economic development.

Among his many contributions to EMPEA, Mr. Öney has twice organized the Globalturk Capital and EMPEA’s Private Equity in Turkey and Environs, which this year hosted Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, Mehmet Şimşek, along with representatives from global and regional private equity funds as well as international investors. This annual summit is already becoming the principal industry gathering in the region. He also arranged a special Roundtable Conversation with His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Turkey for EMPEA Members in New York last September.

Barış Öney has over 29 years of diverse, global experience in pre- and post -investment management, M&As, IPOs and strategic advisory. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Globalturk Capital, he has been acting as a venture partner for Turkish companies in capital raising from private equity investors or strategic buyers and staying as a co-investor in companies after the investments are realized. Prior to establishing Globalturk Capital, his assignments included setting up and/or managing investment banking and corporate finance advisory practices in some of the most renowned financial institutions in Turkey: Deloitte (Partner), Yapi Kredi Yatirim (acting AGM) and TSKB (Director). He was also in charge of strategic, international business development at the M&A Department of the Turkcell Group (Group Head).

Robert van Zwieten, President and CEO of EMPEA, commented on the announcement, “Turkey provides an excellent example of the impact of private capital investment in emerging markets and the tremendous opportunities available to investors. Fund managers are finding promising businesses across a variety sectors that are capitalizing on the growth of middle class consumers. Barış is a highly knowledgeable and reputable advocate for private capital investing in the country and region, and will continue to serve EMPEA well in facilitating both dialogue and connections among our network of local players, international investors and global stakeholders.”

Mr. van Zwieten added, “The appointment of Mr. Öney as Country Representative for Turkey is the first of several that EMPEA hopes and expects to make over time, in countries and regions where this type of position can enhance our work locally or regionally in support of our industry.”