Mustafa Vehbi Koç

Mustafa Vehbi Koç (October 29, 1960 – January 21, 2016) was a Turkish businessman and a third generation member of the Koç family. He is best known as the chairman of Koç Holding, a position he held from 2003 until his death in 2016.

Mustafa Vehbi Koç
Mustafa Koç
Born(1960-10-29)October 29, 1960
Ankara, Turkey
DiedJanuary 21, 2016(2016-01-21) (aged 55)
Istanbul, Turkey
Resting placeZincirlikuyu Cemetery
NationalityTurkish
Alma materGeorge Washington University
Known forChairman of Koç Holding
Spouse(s)Caroline Koç
Children2
Parent(s)Rahmi Koç
Çiğdem Simavi

Private life

Mustafa Koç was born to Rahmi Koç, the second-generation member of Koç family on October 29, 1960.[1] He had two younger brothers Mehmet Ömer Koç (born 1962) and Ali Yıldırım Koç (born 1967).[1] Graduating from Switzerland’s international boarding high school Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz in 1980, Mustafa Koç received his bachelor's degree in business administration from George Washington University in 1984.[2][1]

Koç was married to Caroline Giraud and was father of two daughters Esra Marianne Çiğdem Koç and Aylin Elif Koç.[2][1]

Professional career

After graduation, Koç started working as a Consultant at Tofaş. Continuing his career as sales manager and later as assistant general manager for Sales at Ram Dış Ticaret, in 1992, he joined Koç Holding to serve as vice president.[2]

Working at Koç Holding, Turkey's largest industrial conglomerate and the only Turkish company listed in Fortune 500,[3][1] for all of his career, Koç became a board member in 2001. Assuming the responsibility as vice chairman the following year, he took over the position of chairman from Rahmi Koç, his retired father, in 2003.[3][1] Mustafa Koç was also the chairman for the High Advisory Council to TÜSİAD, the Turkish Industry and Business Association, between 2003 until 2015.[2] Between 2006 and 2013, he held office as Honorary Consul for Finland, as well as being a member of Council for Foreign Economic Affairs for the Istanbul Chamber of Industry. Koç also held various international positions during his career, including positions in JP Morgan’s International Council, Rolls Royce International’s Advisory Board, and Bilderberg Meetings’ Executive Board.[4] He was awarded the Cavaliere D’Industria medal by the Italian government in 2005.[2]

Death and legacy

Mustafa Koç suffered a heart attack during a fitness exercise at his home and died on January 21, 2016.[2][1] He was buried at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery next to his grandfather's grave.[3] A documentary film titled "Dreams and Memories" about the legacy of Mustafa Koç was produced in 2017.[5]

He had been a lifelong sports enthusiast, with his hobbies ranging from sailing and golf, to scuba diving and horseback riding. A sports award named after Mustafa Koç was established in 2017 to honor his memory. Celebrating the ideals and merits of sportsmanship, the "Mustafa V. Koç Sports Award" is judged by the Turkish Olympic Committee.[6][7]

References
  1. Yeginsu, Ceylan (21 January 2016). "Mustafa Koc, Leader of Turkish Conglomerate, Dies at 55". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  2. "Mustafa V. Koç" (in Turkish). Koç. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  3. "Funeral held for Turkey's leading businessman Mustafa Koç". Hürriyet Daily News. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  4. Skelton, Charlie (12 June 2015). "Koç pops up at Bilderberg: could this be the year to let it all hang out?". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  5. "Mustafa Koç Documentary on IMDb".
  6. "Mustafa Koç Sports Award Official Site". Archived from the original on 2020-04-05.
  7. Benmayor, Gila (13 September 2018). "Wrestler Yasemin Adar wins Mustafa Koç Sports Award". Hürriyet Daily News. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
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