One of Turkey's leading hotel chains Elite World Hotels & Resortshas appointed two industry veterans to lead the brand's growth strategies. Dorukcan Koca has been appointed Elite World Hotels & Resorts Brand and Marketing Director, and Kadir Ayaz has been appointed Elite World Hotels & Resorts Internal Audit & Risk Assessment Director. Koca and Ayaz will bring their expertise to Elite World in the new era, supporting the group's innovative and sustainable growth goals.

20 Years of Experience in Elite World Squad; Kadir Ayaz

Ayaz graduated from Boğaziçi University's Department of Economics and furthered his academic career with the MBA programs at Bahçeşehir University and the Executive MBA at Koç University. With nearly 20 years of professional experience, Kadir Ayaz has held senior management roles at international management consulting firms such as Deloitte and PwC, as well as firms such as Albert Solino and Krinda Consulting, and Eksim Holding.

Throughout his career, Ayaz has specialized in strategy and business development, management consulting, corporate and financial transformation, digitalization and process analysis, risk management, internal control, and performance management. Having led numerous transformation projects across various sectors, focusing on organizational excellence, sustainable growth, and Turquality programs, Ayaz possesses expertise in establishing governance, auditing, and control structures aligned with the strategic objectives of organizations.

Dorukcan Koca Brings His Success to Elite World After Strong Brands

After graduating from Tarsus American College, Dorukcan Koca completed his undergraduate studies in Hospitality Management at Michigan State University in the USA, reinforcing his strong academic background with international experience. Having begun his career at the Hilton Crystal City Arlington in the USA, Koca has developed his branding and marketing expertise in a wide range of areas, from boutique hotels to international hotel chains.

Throughout her career, Koca has held senior positions in the marketing departments of leading brands in the tourism and hospitality industry, including The House Hotels & Residences, Cloud 7 Hotels, Meeting Point International, MP Hotels, The Stay Hotels & Nu Look Group, Liberty Signa & Sundia Exclusive By Liberty Fethiye.

Koca, who has expertise in marketing, digital marketing, sustainability, strategic branding and branding, will manage all communication and marketing strategies of the brand within Elite World.

Source: HORECA TREND and Elite World Hotels & Resorts

One of Turkey's leading hotel chains Elite World Hotels & Resortscontinues to strengthen its management team. The Group announced new appointments to its General Manager positions in line with its operational excellence and sustainable growth goals.

In the new period, appointments across a wide range of roles, from management and auditing to branding and marketing, will support Elite World Hotels & Resorts' strengthened organizational structure both domestically and internationally.

In this context, appointments were made to general manager positions in some hotels.  General Manager of Elite World Grand Istanbul Küçükyalı Hotel Niece Ece Sardogan, As for the General Manager position of Elite World Grand Istanbul Basın Ekspres Hotel Merve Kadıoğlu Sönmez, Elite World Istanbul Florya Hotel General Management Tamer Karaca Was introduced.

The Number of Female General Managers is Increasing

Appointed General Manager of Elite World Grand Istanbul Küçükyalı Hotel Niece Ece Sardogan, He began his professional career in 2005 in the finance department of the Richmond Group. Having established a solid foundation in finance and management in the tourism sector, Yeğen strengthened his competence by obtaining his CPA (Certified Public Accountant) certificate in 2016. Until 2019, he successfully held senior management positions at various levels in the finance departments of hotels. In 2019, he served as Incharge General Manager at DTH Moda Hotel and then briefly as General Manager at DTH Ümraniye. Following these experiences, he assumed the management of the chain's investments in Turkey and abroad as Cluster General Manager at the Dedeman Group. Most recently, 2024-2025 Between 2000 and 2010, he served as Head of Finance at the luxury hotel brand Address Hotel.

 Appointed as General Manager of Elite World Grand Istanbul Basın Ekspres Hotel Merve Kadıoğlu Sönmez He entered the sector in 1997 as Group Coordinator at Hilton Istanbul. Having assumed important roles in international chains, Kadıoğlu Sönmez worked as Corporate Sales Manager at Çırağan Palace Hotel Kempinski, Sales Director at Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul, and Sales and Marketing Director at Richmond Nua.

Kadıoğlu Sönmez, who began his first role as General Manager at Divan Istanbul Asia in 2012, subsequently served as General Manager during the reopening of the Radisson Ottomare and The Grand Tarabya. Most recently, he served as General Manager at Kemer Country and also taught Hotel Sales & Marketing at Okan University for a time.

International Experiences

Appointed to the General Manager of Elite World Istanbul Florya Hotel Tamer KaracaKaraca furthered his industry experience by holding various management positions at prominent international brands such as Islandia Marriott Long Island, Sheraton Voyage, Ibis Hotel Bursa, Novotel Istanbul, Legacy Ottoman Hotel, and Pera Palas Hotel. Most recently, he served as Hotel Manager and Director of Operations at Swissôtel Uludağ Bursa, where he achieved significant success in the hotel's opening process, budget management, marketing strategies, and operational excellence.

With these appointments, Elite World Hotels & Resorts has further strengthened its management team with experienced professionals. In the new era, the brand will continue to advance with innovative steps to support its growth strategy, service approaches that enhance the guest experience, and operational excellence targets that meet international standards.

Source: HORECA TREND and Elite World Hotels & Resorts

Pernod Ricard, has made a notable appointment as part of its global leadership restructuring. Nevzat Akkız, who served as CFO of the company's Africa-Middle East region, has been appointed CFO of Pernod Ricard Northern Europe, effective January 1, 2026. This marks the first time a Turkish executive has been entrusted with the financial management of one of the company's most strategic regions.

In her new role, Akkız will report to Julien Hémard, CEO of Pernod Ricard Northern Europe, and will serve on the regional Management Committee. In this role, she will assume critical responsibilities such as defining financial strategies, strengthening performance management, and implementing the company's sustainable growth vision.

Pernod Ricard's Northern Europe region encompasses some of the most significant markets in the company's global footprint. The region encompasses Germany, the United Kingdom, Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg), Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, and the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden). Nevzat Akkız will be responsible for the financial management of this vast and strategic geography.

This appointment not only signifies the assumption of a significant responsibility in Pernod Ricard's global operations, but also strongly demonstrates the level of leadership roles undertaken by Turkish-trained executives in the international arena.

Source: HORECA TREND and Pernod Ricard