Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Born in Erenköy/İstanbul in 1960, Mr. İbrahim Çağlar is originally from Konya-Kadınhanlı on his father’s side. The roots of his ancestors go back to an entrepreneur family. To illustrate, his grandfather on his mother’s side, Mr. Hasan Şevki Efendi held an important position during the Sultan Abdulhamid II period before Republican Era at the Undersecreteriat of Treasury.(He has inherited his keen interest in rosary and a comprehensive collection from his grandfather.) Besides, Mr. Hasan Şevki Efendi established the very first national factory of cologne after the Republican Period of the Young Turkey.

His family’s success in commercial history of Turkey is also evident with Mr.Sıtkı Çağlar, the grandfather on his father side. He was engaged in all types of commercial activities of every trade item, namely, he was actively wandering around Turkey, especially from Konya to other cities. Meanwhile, in 1950’s, he founded a cotton mill in Topkapı-İstanbul, benefiting from the technology he adapted from the Italian. Furthermore, Mr. Sıtkı Çağlar provided consultancy service to Hacı Sabancı, a prominent Turkish businessman who proposed to set up a factory in Adana. With such a progressive attitude and broadened vision, he sent his son Mr.Cenap Çağlar, the father of Mr. İbrahim Çağlar, to the Austrian Lyceum. Similar to his father, he also took a strong interest in the business of cotton thread and contracting services.

In such an atmosphere which heartens commercial activities, Mr. İbrahim Çağlar voluntarily started to work as a apprentice with his uncle when he was seven throughout the summer breaks. This ultimate desire for trade activities encouraged him to change his mind and pursue his dreams. He left Güneş College, which he attended his secondary education after the primary school and he decided to continue his education at the Commerce Lyceum. Thus, in 1977, he established his first company “Nurtop A.Ş.”  just after his graduation from the lyceum and steamed ahead in business life.

While Mr. Çağlar, who began his commercial life at the age of 18, currently continues his business life with domestic and foreign investments in several sectors ranging from textile, energy, construction to telecommunications, he has played a prominent role at several foundations in the social life.

For instance, Mr. Çağlar was the Executive Board Member at the Education and Culture Foundation of TOBB (The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey). Additionally, he held memberships at the Board of Trustees of various prestigious foundations such as TEPAV (Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey), Darülaceze (Institution for the nursing of the elderly and homeless people).

Besides, he was also the member of Board of Trustees and Academic Council at Marmara Grubu Vakfı Stratejik ve Sosyal Araştırmalar (Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation).

Apart from his crucial positions at the foundations, Mr. Çağlar is known to be the founding father of AK Party (Justice and Development Party) and MÜSİAD (Independent Industralists’ and Businessmen’s Association). In 2004-2010, he was the Executive Board Member Responsible for Financial Affairs at TOBB (The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey) while he  was simultaneously the Executive Board Member of TSE (Turkish Standards Institution).

From 2003 to 2006, he was the member of the Executive Board at İTHİB (İstanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Union).  He was the Executive Board Member of Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) from 2006 to 2012. Furthermore, he has been the president of ENVER (Energy Efficiency Association) since 2012.

His role at İstanbul Chamber of Commerce started in 1999 with his membership to the Assembly of ICOC (İTO). He was the Vice President of the Executive Board from 2004 to 2009. In addition to this role, he was the Chairman of the Assembly of ICOC from 2009 to 2013. He has been the President of the Executive Board at ICOC since 29 May 2013.

In his spare time from his business life and tasks at NGO’s and foundations, he likes shooting, swimming and playing tennis. Mr. Çağlar is married and father of 2 children.