FOUNDING PARTNER

Ahmet Bekçe

Ahmet has over 32 years of international banking experience at Citi. During his tenure he has held number of senior leadership positions in global products as well as Corporate & Investment Banking. Ahmet left Citi in October 2022.

His last role at Citi was Global Head of Export & Agency Finance (EAF) based out of New York and London. EAF is one of Citi’s leading financing solution platforms with around 50 specialist bankers across the globe and over $10bn of assets.

Ahmet’s previous role was Head of Corporate Banking for MENA based in Dubai between 2010 and 2019. Citi’s regional franchise included 14 presence and 9 non presence markets with around 100 bankers spread over regional and local offices and coverage universe of 500+ client relationships. Under his stewardship Citi became the leading Corporate & Investment Banking franchise in the region. He was part of the core leadership team to re-establish Citi’s presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Between 2000 and 2010 Ahmet was Head of CEEMEA Debt Markets in London, covering all debt products including Loans and Acquisition Finance, Debt Capital Markets, Project Finance and Alternative Distribution. During his time in this role, he was named “Captain of the Dream Team” for Syndicated Loan origination in EEMEA by EuroWeek Magazine in 2004. Under his leadership Citigroup won the “IFR EEMEA Bond House of the Year” in multiple years. Ahmet led structuring and execution of more than 100 debt transactions exceeding $150bn across multiple industries, debt markets, countries, and credit structures.

His earlier roles included Head of Islamic Finance in London, originating, structuring and distributing more than 50 financing transactions over $10bn.

Ahmet also held active board memberships in number of important Citigroup entities such as Citigroup Saudi Arabia - Riyadh, Citi Islamic Investment Bank - Bahrain, Citibank Menkul Degerler - Istanbul.