A New Chapter: Signium Opens Executive Search and Leadership Advisory Office in Türkiye

Global executive search and leadership advisory firm Signium has opened its newest office in Istanbul, Türkiye, further strengthening its presence across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The launch marks a strategic expansion into one of the world’s most dynamic and geographically pivotal economies, with Neslihan Akan serving as Managing Partner of Signium Türkiye.

With more than 15 years of executive search experience in the region, Akan brings a wealth of expertise in C-level placements and leadership advisory. She has worked closely with Türkiye’s largest companies and multinationals, advising on CEO, CXO roles, and board-level placements.

Why Türkiye matters for global leadership talent

As the 16th largest economy globally, Türkiye boasts a well-established banking sector, large industrial and FMCG companies, a rapidly growing tech scene, and active investment in renewable energy and e-commerce. Its location at the crossroads of continents makes it a strategic base for multinational firms seeking to operate across Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

Türkiye continues to export top executive talent to the Gulf region, and beyond, particularly in digital transformation, risk and compliance, and ESG-related roles. The country’s high levels of digital adoption, mobile-first consumer behaviour, and entrepreneurial culture have also made Istanbul an up-and-coming regional startup and fintech hub.

In addition, competitive executive compensation packages and a surplus of skilled, bilingual professionals make Türkiye an attractive market for international firms looking to appoint local leadership.

“Türkiye’s location as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia makes it a powerful hub for cross-border business and leadership talent. We have a highly educated and globally mobile workforce. With more than half the working population under the age of 35, we have a rich pipeline of talent – not just for Türkiye, but for the wider region.”

Neslihan Akan

Forging a new leadership frontier in Türkiye

Signium Türkiye will operate as an advisory firm focused on senior-level search, including CEO, CXO, and non-executive director roles. The firm will also offer leadership assessments and advisory services for boards and executive teams.

In line with Signium’s global standards, the Turkish team is also committed to driving greater diversity and inclusion in leadership. Akan, a long-standing advocate for women in executive roles, notes that while women represent nearly half the workforce in some industries, less than 20% of Turkish board seats on listed companies are held by women.

“This is an area where we hope to participate in real change,” she added. “Executive search isn’t just about filling roles – it’s about shaping the future of leadership in a way that reflects both performance and purpose. We want to see businesses reaping the many rewards of diverse leadership personas.”

With a strong local team in place, Signium Türkiye is poised to support both domestic and international clients in navigating executive transitions and building resilient leadership teams, ready for the future.

Annelize van Rensburg, Chair at Signium, is pleased to welcome the new office into the organization: “We believe that Türkiye is one of the most promising economies in the world – vibrant, strategically positioned, and particularly rich in leadership potential. Expanding into this market fulfils a major part of our broader strategy of growing our presence across the Middle East and neighbouring regions. We’re confident that Neslihan and her team will make a significant impact on the executive leadership landscape.”

To get in touch with Signium Türkiye, email [email protected] or contact Neslihan Akan directly at +90 212 367 4969.