Why Beko's New CEO Will Focus on Strategy and Sustainability

Beko, one of the world’s largest home appliance manufacturers, has announced two key senior leadership transitions, aimed at ensuring strategic continuity and sustainable growth.

CEO Hakan Bulgurlu will step down, concluding an 11-year tenure during which he led the Istanbul-headquartered company through a period of significant international expansion and sustainability transformation.

Hakan has spent more than 30 years with the Koç Group, the controlling owner of Beko. 

His time as CEO of the appliance business is marked by a significantly expanded global footprint and strengthened competitive market position, as well as the integration of robust sustainability targets into its long-term strategy. 

He also oversaw and led the creation of Beko Europe in 2024, forming a joint venture with Whirlpool that solidified Beko’s position as the leading appliance brand in Europe by volume. 

Writing on LinkedIn, Hakan says: “To every colleague, business partner, stakeholder – past and present, thank you. Every milestone we reached has your fingerprints on it. 

“And whatever comes next will be shaped by the same determination, creativity and care that brought us here.” 

Hakan will be succeeded by Can Dinçer, currently General Manager of Arçelik Türkiye and Chief Commercial Officer for South Asia and Türkiye.

Seamless, strategic leadership transition

Beko says that Hakan will remain on the company’s board through to June 2026, in order to ensure efficient and effective leadership transition. The company explains that the transition is part of a structured succession plan designed to ensure stability and strategic continuity.

As well as stepping down from Beko, Hakan will complete his term as president of APPLiA, the European home appliance association. 

He has held this role since mid-2022, acting as a primary voice for home appliance manufacturers across Europe and leading on policy advocacy, as well as sustainability and driving the reduction of the industry’s environmental impact. 

He also has been responsible for ensuring that EU legislative frameworks for the 2024-2029 term keep European manufacturers competitive on the global stage. 

Hakan leaves a strong legacy that redefined Beko’s market proposition and competitiveness.   

Under his leadership, the Turkish powerhouse transitioned from a regional player into Europe’s largest white goods company by volume. 

His term is defined by the landmark 2024 Whirlpool merger and a radical commitment to sustainability, steering the firm to the top of global ESG rankings and championing the view that climate responsibility and commercial performance are mutually reinforcing. 

He writes on LinkedIn: “From day one, I set out to help build Beko into a global leader. That was never a promise I could keep alone. Along with an incredible range of hard-working talent, we delivered. 

“We built Europe's leading appliance manufacturer and placed Beko among the world's top three players. We expanded our footprint across continents through partnerships and acquisitions. We scaled revenues from US$3.5bn to US$13bn.”

Operationally experienced leadership

Can Dinçer will replace Hakan as CEO. He brings experience from multiple roles across Beko’s international operations over a 33-year career in Turkey, Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. 

During his time at the company, Can has played a key role in strengthening its market position in Turkey and sustaining performance in the South Asia region. 

His leadership has centred on reinforcing execution discipline and customer-focused strategies to ensure the company thrives in increasingly diverse markets. 

Discussing the leadership transition on LinkedIn, Can writes: “Thank you, Hakan. Working with you over the years has meant a lot to me. As a company, we have learned from your calm approach, your clarity, and the way you led through both good times and difficult periods. You leave behind a strong organisation and a clear path forward. 

“That gives us confidence, but it also comes with responsibility. We will continue with the same focus on our people, disciplined execution, and long-term results. I also want to thank all our teams around the world, as well as our dealers and authorised services. Once I take on this role, we will continue moving forward with the same determination.”

Beko has also announced the appointment of Akın Garzanlı as CEO of Beko Europe and Regional Chief Commercial Officer. He replaces Ragıp Balcıoğlu

A 20-year veteran of the group, Akin transitions from his role as Chief Marketing Officer, where he managed a portfolio of 22 global brands across 55 countries. 

His promotion signals a strategic move to leverage deep consumer insights and "agile" brand management within the newly formed European entity. He is tasked with converting Beko’s massive industrial scale into localised market performance.