Meet our Team
Jacques Demers
Ammar Al-Rikabi
Jacques Demers
Chairman
Jacques Demers brings over 45 years of experience in business law and 35 years as an investor, with expertise spanning corporate finance, project development, and infrastructure investments. As President & CEO of OMERS Strategic Investments (2008– 2015), he managed $3.5 billion in assets, leading initiatives such as the $12.6 billi
Chairman
Jacques Demers brings over 45 years of experience in business law and 35 years as an investor, with expertise spanning corporate finance, project development, and infrastructure investments. As President & CEO of OMERS Strategic Investments (2008– 2015), he managed $3.5 billion in assets, leading initiatives such as the $12.6 billion Global Strategic Investment Alliance and OMERS Ventures.
Jacques co-founded AGAWA Partners in 2015, focusing on sustainable investments in oceans, water, and agri-food. His legal practice has included groundbreaking PPP projects in Canada and globally, alongside advising governments and financial institutions on corporate strategy and governance.
A member of several corporate and non-profit boards, Jacques has chaired key committees and contributed to strategic decision-making across sectors. He holds a law degree from Université Laval and studied economics, history, and philosophy at McGill University. Fluent in English and French, Jacques excels in multi-jurisdictional and cross-cultural contexts.
Ahmet Iplikci
Ammar Al-Rikabi
Jacques Demers
Founder & CEO
Ahmet Iplikci is the founder of Ishtar Advisory, where he leads financial and corporate advisory efforts with a focus on government and stakeholder relations across Turkey, the CIS, and CEMEA regions. He serves as a Board Member at Banco Finantia, a partner at Noctua Partners, and a Non-Executive Board Member at Hercules Site
Founder & CEO
Ahmet Iplikci is the founder of Ishtar Advisory, where he leads financial and corporate advisory efforts with a focus on government and stakeholder relations across Turkey, the CIS, and CEMEA regions. He serves as a Board Member at Banco Finantia, a partner at Noctua Partners, and a Non-Executive Board Member at Hercules Site Services Plc. Additionally, Mr. Iplikci is an advisor to the British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey and Fuel Ventures, a UK venture capital firm.
With past roles as a Senior Advisor to both the Turkish Prime Minister's Office Investment Agency and Kazakh Invest, Mr. Iplikci brings deep experience in international investment strategy. His earlier work as a hedge fund manager at firms like Cargill Financial Markets enriched his insight into asset management. Today, he leverages his extensive network and expertise to guide strategic partnerships and investment decisions.
Ammar Al-Rikabi
Ammar Al-Rikabi
Ammar Al-Rikabi
Capital Raising, Corporate Finance, Real Estate & Middle East
Ammar Al-Rikabi is a corporate finance and investment professional with over 22 years of experience, including more than 16 years managing private equity and debt transactions. He has executed over £1 billion in equity and debt deals and has held senior roles overseeing institut
Capital Raising, Corporate Finance, Real Estate & Middle East
Ammar Al-Rikabi is a corporate finance and investment professional with over 22 years of experience, including more than 16 years managing private equity and debt transactions. He has executed over £1 billion in equity and debt deals and has held senior roles overseeing institutional capital across five funds since 2019. Ammar maintains an extensive global network of investors and lenders, including HNWIs, family offices, funds, and financial institutions.
He is also a partner at a corporate finance advisory firm, where he originates and manages capital-raising mandates for large-scale real estate developments and corporate clients. From 2011 to 2018, Ammar served as Investment Director at Arch Investment Partners, a London-based multi-family office private equity fund, focusing on sectors such as banking, energy, infrastructure, and renewables.
Earlier in his career, he held positions in private equity, corporate finance, and capital markets at institutions including TBI International (a JPMorgan partner) and Lehman Brothers. Ammar holds an MBA from IESE Business School and a BSc in Computer Science from University College London.
Burak Basara
Burak Basara
Burak Basara
Investment Banking, Business Development, Project Finance
With over 25 years of experience in finance, investment banking, and project finance, Burak Basara has built a distinguished career driving financial and business development strategies across multiple regions. He has extensive expertise in FX risk management, trade finance, and interna
Investment Banking, Business Development, Project Finance
With over 25 years of experience in finance, investment banking, and project finance, Burak Basara has built a distinguished career driving financial and business development strategies across multiple regions. He has extensive expertise in FX risk management, trade finance, and international payments, and is recognized for his ability to scale businesses and foster revenue growth.
Earlier in his career, Burak gained substantial experience in corporate and investment banking with HSBC and TSKB (Industrial Development Bank of Turkey), where he managed large-scale transactions and complex cross-border deals. Throughout his career, he has overseen over $20 billion in completed projects and demonstrated a strong track record in scaling businesses and driving growth.
Burak also holds board seats with several innovative companies in Sweden, Türkiye and Poland, where he advises on strategic growth and market expansion. A multilingual executive with an MBA and a background in philosophy, Burak combines analytical insight with a forward-thinking approach to global finance and investment.
Serdar Cetin
Burak Basara
Burak Basara
Board member, Turkcell
Serdar Cetin graduated from Middle East Technical University, Civil Engineering department and holds an MSc in Management (Grande Ecole) from HEC School of Management in Paris with a major in strategic management. Serdar Cetin serves as an Independent Member of the Turkcell Board of Directors from 2022. Serdar Cetin
Board member, Turkcell
Serdar Cetin graduated from Middle East Technical University, Civil Engineering department and holds an MSc in Management (Grande Ecole) from HEC School of Management in Paris with a major in strategic management. Serdar Cetin serves as an Independent Member of the Turkcell Board of Directors from 2022. Serdar Cetin has served at the board of Play Group from July 2007 till November 2020. He was a management board member of Play (P4 Sp.zo.o.) from its inception (July 2005) till October 2006 and was a supervisory board member between July 2007 and June 2017.
Following the IPO of Play Group, he was appointed as a member of the Audit Committee, Remuneration and Nomination Committee and Operational and Investment Committee of Play Communications S.A. until its sale to Iliad in November 2020. Serdar Cetin was a board member of Turknet Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. and its then parent company NetOne Holdings S.a.r.l., between 2007 until April 2013. He served as a board member or board observer in several telco or technology companies including Machinezone, which is now acquired by Applovin (USA), Netia (Poland), Forthnet (Greece) and Be* Unlimited (UK). In addition, he served as a board member of AASA Polska from August 2015 to December 2019. Serdar Cetin was a board member of WOM S.A. Chile from 2015 till 2023. Additionally, he was a partner of Novator Partners LLP, a London based investment advisory firm until April 2023 and is currently a Partner of PurpleCrest Investments Llp. Prior to joining Novator, Mr. Cetin worked at Merrill Lynch investment banking and BNP Paribas Asset Management in London. He is fluent in English and French.
Nabil Daud
Burak Basara
Nabil Daud
Chairman & CEO at Daud Investments
Nabil Daud is the Chairman and CEO of Daud Investments, overseeing a diverse portfolio spanning retail, hospitality, education, logistics, oil and gas, and construction. With over 25 years of leadership experience, he has forged strategic partnerships with organizations such as Oman Investment Authority,
Chairman & CEO at Daud Investments
Nabil Daud is the Chairman and CEO of Daud Investments, overseeing a diverse portfolio spanning retail, hospitality, education, logistics, oil and gas, and construction. With over 25 years of leadership experience, he has forged strategic partnerships with organizations such as Oman Investment Authority, Majid Al Futtaim, and Emaar.
In addition to Daud Investments, Nabil founded Royal Investment, driving innovation in e-commerce and technology through collaborations with brands like NA-KD and Oh Polly, as well as ventures like App Genie. A strong advocate for AI-driven solutions, he envisions AI as a transformative force in e-commerce and beyond.
As chairman of the Oman Business Council in the UAE since 2015, Nabil has fostered economic ties between the two nations. His focus on renewable energy and education, including founding Rise Education, reflects his commitment to sustainability and academic excellence.
Sergio Delgado
Sergio Delgado
Sergio Delgado
Capital markets, Debt structuring, Portfolio management
Sergio Delgado is a capital markets and restructuring specialist with over two decades of experience advising on complex credit strategies and corporate turnarounds across Latin America, the UK, and global emerging markets. He currently advises energy and infrastructure companies on
Capital markets, Debt structuring, Portfolio management
Sergio Delgado is a capital markets and restructuring specialist with over two decades of experience advising on complex credit strategies and corporate turnarounds across Latin America, the UK, and global emerging markets. He currently advises energy and infrastructure companies on capital structuring and debt optimization, including Mexican Power Partners, a platform consolidating private power generation in Mexico.
He played a key role in the debt restructuring of Seadrill New Finance Ltd. (now Paratus Energy Services Ltd.), leading the financial turnaround of its Mexican subsidiary and facilitating the group’s successful de-leveraging and public listing.
From 2014 to 2021, Sergio was a founding partner and Senior Portfolio Manager at the Aventicum Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund, a joint venture between Credit Suisse and the Qatar Investment Authority. His earlier roles include senior positions at BlackRock, Credit Suisse, and Deutsche Bank, focusing on distressed and high-yield credit.
Sergio holds an undergraduate degree from ITAM and an MBA from MIT Sloan. He serves on the board of Rassini, SAPI.
Duygu Ergin
Sergio Delgado
Sergio Delgado
Emerging Markets, Banking, Start-ups
Duygu Iplikci Ergin began her career with PwC in Istanbul after earning her degree in Business Management and Finance from Middle East Technical University. She gained early experience on IFC and World Bank projects before transitioning to Chase Manhattan Bank, where she excelled in Treasury and Tradi
Emerging Markets, Banking, Start-ups
Duygu Iplikci Ergin began her career with PwC in Istanbul after earning her degree in Business Management and Finance from Middle East Technical University. She gained early experience on IFC and World Bank projects before transitioning to Chase Manhattan Bank, where she excelled in Treasury and Trading, becoming treasurer at an early stage.
After relocating to London, she led strategic operations across Eastern Europe and the CIS, including heading Russian Local Markets. Now, as an angel investor, advisor, and Non-Executive Director, she supports entrepreneurial ventures and innovative businesses. Recently appointed as a principal mentor at UCL Hatchery, she is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of business leaders. With a background in finance and a passion for innovation, Duygu brings invaluable expertise to each role she undertakes.
Atalay Gumrah
Sergio Delgado
Atalay Gumrah
Former CEO, Eczacibasi Group
Atalay Gümrah is the CEO of Eczacıbaşı Group, a leading Turkish industrial and consumer products conglomerate. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Atalay’s leadership in the company’s Bath and Tiles division earned him the role of Group CEO, where he now oversees 13,000 employees from more
Former CEO, Eczacibasi Group
Atalay Gümrah is the CEO of Eczacıbaşı Group, a leading Turkish industrial and consumer products conglomerate. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Atalay’s leadership in the company’s Bath and Tiles division earned him the role of Group CEO, where he now oversees 13,000 employees from more than 30 nationalities.
A graduate of Galatasaray Lycée and Boğaziçi University, where he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Atalay is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School. He began his career in 1992 at Ekom Eczacıbaşı Foreign Trade, later holding key roles such as Commercial Manager of VitrA UK, General Manager of EBM Jsc. in Russia, and General Manager of Intema Building Materials. In 2011, he was appointed Vice President and later Executive Vice President of Eczacıbaşı Building Products.
Under his leadership, Eczacıbaşı Group operates across five business units: bathroom products, consumer goods, healthcare, natural resources, and tiles. The Group achieved a consolidated turnover of 2 billion euros in 2023, reflecting its global reach and operational success.
Martin Guyot
Alpaslan Korkmaz
Stephen Hammond
Managing Partner, Noctua Partners
Martin Guyot is the founder of Noctua Partners, guiding its strategic vision and cultivating long-term client relationships. With extensive experience in emerging markets and wealth management, Martin brings a sophisticated, global perspective to his advisory work.
Prior to founding Noctua, Martin was the
Managing Partner, Noctua Partners
Martin Guyot is the founder of Noctua Partners, guiding its strategic vision and cultivating long-term client relationships. With extensive experience in emerging markets and wealth management, Martin brings a sophisticated, global perspective to his advisory work.
Prior to founding Noctua, Martin was the Director of Emerging Markets Trading at Stark Investments. He also served as Senior Managing Director at Guggenheim Partners, where he was instrumental in building and overseeing the International Multi-Family Office Product and Service Department, helping the firm gather approximately $3 billion in assets under management. Martin began his career as an equity and fixed-income trader at Cargill SACI in Buenos Aires, eventually advancing to head fixed-income and equity trading across Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe for Cargill Financial Services in Minneapolis and London.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Buenos Aires and a master’s degree in finance from the Centro de Estudios Macroeconomicos de Argentina.
Stephen Hammond
Alpaslan Korkmaz
Stephen Hammond
Former MP, House of Commons, UK
Stephen Hammond is a seasoned advisor with a strong foundation in financial services, economic analysis, and infrastructure, especially in transport and housing. With nearly two decades as the Member of Parliament for Wimbledon, Stephen has served in prominent roles, including Minister for Transport, overseei
Former MP, House of Commons, UK
Stephen Hammond is a seasoned advisor with a strong foundation in financial services, economic analysis, and infrastructure, especially in transport and housing. With nearly two decades as the Member of Parliament for Wimbledon, Stephen has served in prominent roles, including Minister for Transport, overseeing Roads, Rail, and Maritime, and as Minister of State for Health, where he managed NHS and healthcare policies.
Stephen has extensive corporate experience, having held senior roles at Commerzbank, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, and UBS Phillips and Drew. Currently, he is a Strategic Advisor to Darwin Alternative Investments and Senior Advisor to Dentons Global Advisors, bringing insights from his extensive network and industry expertise.
He is an associate of the Society of Investment Analysts and holds a BSc in Economics from the University of London. Known for his analytical skills and wide-reaching contacts, Stephen continues to impact both the public and private sectors.
Alpaslan Korkmaz
Alpaslan Korkmaz
Alpaslan Korkmaz
Advisor to Chairman, Dogus Group
Alpaslan Korkmaz is a Swiss-Turkish business leader with extensive experience in finance, international business development, and economic strategy. Starting his career in Zurich, he founded a consulting company that supported European manufacturers in expanding their global operations. In 2002, he became H
Advisor to Chairman, Dogus Group
Alpaslan Korkmaz is a Swiss-Turkish business leader with extensive experience in finance, international business development, and economic strategy. Starting his career in Zurich, he founded a consulting company that supported European manufacturers in expanding their global operations. In 2002, he became Head of the Neuchâtel Canton IPA and Deputy of the Western Switzerland Economic Development Agency, where he led major investment initiatives.
In 2006, Alpaslan was appointed Chairman of the Investment Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT), where he served until 2010, driving Turkey’s global investment appeal. He has since conducted advisory roles for international investment agencies, alongside serving as CEO for private companies in diverse sectors. Currently, he is a shareholder and board member in industries including high-end Swiss mechanical watchmaking, cybersecurity, digital healthcare, and digital payments.
Alpaslan holds a PhD in International Relations from CEDS, Paris, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Management from Neuchâtel University. Fluent in Turkish, French, English, German, and Italian, he combines cultural fluency with strategic expertise in global business.
Alex Nekrassov
Alex Nekrassov
Alex Nekrassov
Strategic Reputation Management, Commercial Disputes & Risk Advisory, Venture & Growth Capital
Alex Nekrassov is a seasoned strategic advisor with nearly 20 years of experience in risk management and corporate counsel for leading companies across finance, tech, energy, and sports sectors, including clients from the FTSE100, FTSE250, and Fo
Strategic Reputation Management, Commercial Disputes & Risk Advisory, Venture & Growth Capital
Alex Nekrassov is a seasoned strategic advisor with nearly 20 years of experience in risk management and corporate counsel for leading companies across finance, tech, energy, and sports sectors, including clients from the FTSE100, FTSE250, and Fortune 500.
As Managing Partner of ALMOS International, Alex specialises in developing strategies to help clients navigate complex challenges, ranging from regulatory issues and reputational issues and opportunities to high stakes legal and commercial disputes. His experience includes advising BP PLC, MAN Group PLC, BDO, Hogan Lovells and McLaren F1.
Before founding ALMOS in 2016, Alex was a partner at a UK consultancy, where he established highly successful corporate and financial services and litigation support practices. He also holds non-executive board roles with REalyse, a real estate data analytics leader, and Punch Up Media, a media company he co-founded. Alex graduated with a BA in Economics and Politics from University College London in 2006.
Mark Norris
Alex Nekrassov
Alex Nekrassov
Founder, Merrick Real Estate
Mark Norris’ is an experienced real estate investment and management professional and is Managing Director of Merrick Real Estate, a highly successful niche advisory and management business which he founded in 2012.
Based in Mayfair, London, Mark’s business operates across all real estate sectors - commercial,
Founder, Merrick Real Estate
Mark Norris’ is an experienced real estate investment and management professional and is Managing Director of Merrick Real Estate, a highly successful niche advisory and management business which he founded in 2012.
Based in Mayfair, London, Mark’s business operates across all real estate sectors - commercial, residential, retail and industrial. His investment experience covers some £450m of projects including transactions and developments with Aviva, the BBC, Barclays Bank, Infrared Capital Partners, and a number of private Family Offices. He has also managed long-term real estate PFI schemes including the UK Government occupational portfolios.
Mark is experienced in all aspects of business - strategy, corporate governance and leadership, transaction development and execution, investment analysis, project funding, financial structuring and asset management. His earlier career experience includes that of Executive Director at Capita where he created and managed its Real Estate Division (including the successful acquisition and integration of NB Real Estate), Investment Director at HSBC Specialist Investments’ private equity fund, and Head of New Business at Telereal Trillium.
Mark is a graduate of Strathclyde University (BSc Mech Eng Hons) and Glasgow University (MBA with Distinction).
Arinc Okten
Alex Nekrassov
Arinc Okten
CEO & Founding Partner,
N+ Strategic Investors
Arinc Okten is the CEO and founding partner of N+ Strategic Investors (NSI), a corporate finance advisory firm based in Singapore. With over 25 years of experience in distressed asset investing, private debt, and financial restructuring, Arinc specializes in special situations across the EEME and
CEO & Founding Partner,
N+ Strategic Investors
Arinc Okten is the CEO and founding partner of N+ Strategic Investors (NSI), a corporate finance advisory firm based in Singapore. With over 25 years of experience in distressed asset investing, private debt, and financial restructuring, Arinc specializes in special situations across the EEME and Asia-Pacific regions. Throughout his career, he has held advisory and board positions in several portfolio companies to drive value creation.
Arinc founded NSI in 2013 within Noble Group and served as the Chief Investment Officer with an investment mandate in high-yield/distressed credit and special situations within the global commodity supply chain. In 2020 , he transitioned NSI into a managementowned independent firm.
Earlier in his career, Arinc spent 16 years at Cargill Financial Services, with postings in Geneva, London, and Singapore. During this time, he held key origination, structuring and investment roles, including serving as Managing Director at CarVal Investors based in Singapore where he lead the team that executed numerous distressed asset investments across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
Arinc holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, and is currently based in Singapore.
Oscar Olu-Williams
Karima Serageldin
Oscar Olu-Williams
Africa, IPOs, Investment Banking
Oscar Olu-Williams is a seasoned financial executive with a diverse background in international banking, corporate finance, and entrepreneurial ventures. A graduate in Economics and Politics from Essex University, Oscar began his career at Midland International (HSBC Group) in London, where he gained a compre
Africa, IPOs, Investment Banking
Oscar Olu-Williams is a seasoned financial executive with a diverse background in international banking, corporate finance, and entrepreneurial ventures. A graduate in Economics and Politics from Essex University, Oscar began his career at Midland International (HSBC Group) in London, where he gained a comprehensive foundation in corporate finance and banking.
He went on to lead Programmes Ltd, one of the UK’s largest telephone marketing firms, before founding Market Capital Corp., specializing in financing SMEs across Italy and Europe. Oscar was instrumental in pioneering the listing of Italian companies on London’s AIM, leading IPOs and listings for multiple European firms.
Later, he expanded his expertise to West Africa, founding successful ventures in mining and agriculture. Oscar recently refocused on European emerging markets, driven by the region's promising growth potential. His extensive experience and strategic foresight continue to position him as a key figure in finance and corporate development.
Evren Ozturk
Karima Serageldin
Oscar Olu-Williams
Shipping & Ports Management, Commodities, Project Finance
Dr. Evren Öztürk is the Chief Financial Officer and a Board Member of YILDIRIM Group, a global industrial conglomerate. Since joining the company in 2005, Evren has played a pivotal role in driving YILDIRIM Group’s exponential growth, overseeing more than 25 acquisition and merger
Shipping & Ports Management, Commodities, Project Finance
Dr. Evren Öztürk is the Chief Financial Officer and a Board Member of YILDIRIM Group, a global industrial conglomerate. Since joining the company in 2005, Evren has played a pivotal role in driving YILDIRIM Group’s exponential growth, overseeing more than 25 acquisition and merger projects across diverse industries worldwide. He is also the Managing Director of YILDIRIM Asset Management and Yıldırım Overseas Investments, where he leads private equity, M&A, and investment strategies.
With oversight of YILDIRIM Group’s financial relationships and corporate governance frameworks, Evren ensures disciplined capital raising, budgeting, and expense management at both group and entity levels. His leadership has been instrumental in securing ownership of strategic assets, diversifying the Group’s portfolio, and achieving significant growth in EBITDA and revenues.
Evren holds a Ph.D. in Finance and Accounting from Marmara University, in addition to bachelor’s and three master’s degrees in finance, economics, and strategy science from top Turkish institutions. Born in Istanbul in 1981, he combines deep financial expertise with strategic vision to advance YILDIRIM’s international market leadership.
Karima Serageldin
Karima Serageldin
Karima Serageldin
Corporate Venture Capital, Technology, M&A
Karima Serageldin has expertise in technology product management, corporate venture capital, commercial partnerships, venture capital investment, and venture-M&A. During the first half of her career, she held senior product and strategy roles at Verizon Business (MCI), and at an AIM-listed scale-u
Corporate Venture Capital, Technology, M&A
Karima Serageldin has expertise in technology product management, corporate venture capital, commercial partnerships, venture capital investment, and venture-M&A. During the first half of her career, she held senior product and strategy roles at Verizon Business (MCI), and at an AIM-listed scale-up that successfully exited, managing products generating the vast majority of the corporate company's revenues and forming multi-million-dollar telecom infrastructure and technology product businesses. She later joined its TopCo, Oakley Capital, working on acquisitions including Bulldog from Cable & Wireless and a WiMAX joint-venture with Intel Capital.
Karima then transitioned into venture capital as part of the investment teams at established VC funds, before co-founding an early-stage B2B technology VC fund, serving as Partner and Investment Committee member. Currently, she focuses on venture financing and M&A advisory at CEA International LLP, and at Northbright Capital engaging in corporate venturing for large corporates and B2B startups. She has been a direct contractor to Cisco and served as a mentor and judge for Cisco, Intel Capital, and Deutsche Telekom’s venture accelerators across Europe and is a startup mentor at Founders at the University of Cambridge. Karima holds a BSc in Business Management from King's College, University of London, and is a Columbia Business School alumna, following a one-year executive VC/PE program.
John Sytmen
Orhan Turan
John Sytmen
Business Development, Partnership & Growth Management, Entrepreneurship
John Sytmen is a Danish entrepreneur with extensive experience in startups, international business development, and strategic management. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of d.ream (Doğuş Restaurant Entertainment and Management), a leading hospitality gro
Business Development, Partnership & Growth Management, Entrepreneurship
John Sytmen is a Danish entrepreneur with extensive experience in startups, international business development, and strategic management. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of d.ream (Doğuş Restaurant Entertainment and Management), a leading hospitality group that operates 168 high-end restaurants across 12 countries. His portfolio includes prestigious brands like Zuma, LPM, Nusret, and Tom’s Kitchen.
John’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1995 when he revolutionized the coffee industry in Turkey by opening a Specialty Coffee store in Istanbul, expanding it into multiple locations and a production facility before selling to a private equity firm. He later ventured into real estate by leading the local office of a German real estate company and played a key role in expanding a Turkish law firm internationally.
An M.B.A. graduate, John serves as an advisor to the Danish State Investment Fund (IFU) in Turkey and holds board positions in various organizations. He is also a Copenhagen Goodwill Ambassador and actively involved in nonprofit work. With expertise in investment evaluation, crisis management, business consulting, and strategic development, John has proven success in building businesses across multiple sectors and cultures.
Mattia Tomba
Orhan Turan
John Sytmen
Principal Investments, Capital Solutions, Capital Markets
Mattia Tomba is a multi-disciplinary investment professional with a global track record in private equity, structured credit, and cross-border acquisitions across a range of sectors and asset classes. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of ThePIO, a global investment and advisory
Principal Investments, Capital Solutions, Capital Markets
Mattia Tomba is a multi-disciplinary investment professional with a global track record in private equity, structured credit, and cross-border acquisitions across a range of sectors and asset classes. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of ThePIO, a global investment and advisory firm focused on technology, structured finance, and SPAC-related opportunities.
Mattia previously served as Head of Capital Solutions and Founding Investor at Tradeteq, where he was based in Singapore, Riyadh, and Dubai, leading private credit and structured transactions. He is also a Founding Partner at Alchemy Investment Management, specializing in SPAC IPOs and business combinations.
Earlier in his career, Mattia was an Investment Manager at Qatari Diar, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, managing a global equity portfolio and executing large-scale private equity and real estate transactions. He also worked at Goldman Sachs in Europe with the Whitehall Funds, and began his career in Private Wealth Management at Merrill Lynch.
Mattia holds a Master’s in International Aairs from The Fletcher School at Tufts University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Bocconi University and Sciences Po. He is a Senior Research Fellow at the Middle East Institute (National University of Singapore) and served on the Advisory Council of SOVNET at The Fletcher School. He is fluent in Italian, English, and French, and is based in Dubai, UAE.
Orhan Turan
Orhan Turan
Orhan Turan
Capital & Debt advisory, Debt structuring, Turnarounds
Orhan Turan is a seasoned finance and restructuring expert with over 28 years of experience across banking, turnaround management, and corporate finance. As Partner and Head of Capital & Debt Advisory at KPMG Türkiye, he leads a team of over 20 professionals, having successfully closed
Capital & Debt advisory, Debt structuring, Turnarounds
Orhan Turan is a seasoned finance and restructuring expert with over 28 years of experience across banking, turnaround management, and corporate finance. As Partner and Head of Capital & Debt Advisory at KPMG Türkiye, he leads a team of over 20 professionals, having successfully closed more than USD 6 billion in transactions across infrastructure, energy, construction, tourism, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.
Before joining KPMG in 2018, Orhan held senior roles at TEB/BNP Paribas for over 14 years, where he led complex greenfield and brownfield financings, restructurings, and refinancing projects. He was appointed Chief Restructuring Oicer for Doruk Holding in 2012 by a syndicate of 21 lenders and later served as interim CEO (2014–2017), leading the group’s operational turnaround.
Earlier in his career, Orhan held executive roles in the retail and FMCG sectors during a rapid growth phase. His expertise spans restructuring, structured finance, distressed M&A, and strategic transformation, with strong sector insight in energy, metals, and agriculture. He holds a BA in International Relations from Marmara University.