While as a leader, your vision leads you ahead, that vision is always based on the repertoire of experiences from your past journey. Today, recognized as one of Turkey’s top 10 visionary CEOs leading the charge in 2025, Mehmet Ali Ceylan’s journey began in a completely different field than his present, where he is the CEO and Board Member at Medcem Cement Group/Medcem Çimento Grubu, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Mehmet Ali Ceylan, as a visionary leader, is propelling Turkey’s cement industry into a new era of global competitiveness and sustainability. Appointed in May 2023, he has been instrumental in transforming Medcem into a formidable international player, emphasizing innovation, digitalization, and environmental responsibility.

Under his leadership, Medcem has achieved significant milestones, including the expansion of its clinker production capacity to 6.6 million tonnes per year and the establishment of a comprehensive export network spanning the US, UK, EU, and the Middle East. Mehmet’s strategic vision includes the development of an extensive terminal network abroad and the integration of renewable energy sources, aiming to derive 55% of the plant’s energy consumption from renewables by 2030.

Mehmet’s academic background, with degrees from Middle East Technical University, Istanbul University, and an MBA from the University of London, complements his diverse professional experience, including roles in Turkey’s public sector and the OECD. His multifaceted expertise has been pivotal in steering Medcem towards sustainable growth and innovation in the construction materials sector.

From Public Policy to Industrial Visionary: Deep Leadership Roots

Before we delve into Medcem Cement Group’s international expansion strategy, it’s worth stepping back and exploring the personal convictions and career milestones that have shaped Mehmet Ali Ceylan into the visionary leader he is today. Like many transformative CEOs, Mehmet’s path to the boardroom was anything but linear—his journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and a rare breadth of experience across both the public and private sectors.

When asked what shaped his leadership instincts, Mehmet is characteristically humble. “Actually, it is very difficult for somebody to talk about himself,” he says, pausing thoughtfully before continuing. “But I will try.”

Fresh out of university, Mehmet Ali Ceylan didn’t start in business, nor did he envision leading one of Turkey’s most dynamic cement conglomerates. His first professional chapter began in public service—as a tax inspector within Turkey’s governmental institutions. “It was a very different world,” he reflects, “and seemingly irrelevant to what I do now.”

But these early roles proved to be foundational. Rising quickly through the ranks, Mehmet took on the mantle of group director within the Turkish government, where he supervised national income tax systems and coordinated large-scale fiscal initiatives across multiple ministries. It was here that he honed a keen understanding of regulatory frameworks, macroeconomic dynamics, and multi-stakeholder management—skills that would later become indispensable in corporate leadership.

His public sector expertise eventually took him to the global stage. As an economist and policy analyst at the OECD, Mehmet Ali Ceylan worked on international economic policy, giving him a broader lens on global trends, cross-border collaboration, and long-term strategic planning. “I worked there for two years,” he recalls, “and it was an eye-opening experience that deepened my perspective on how economies and industries evolve at scale.”

It wasn’t long before the private sector came calling. Mehmet received multiple offers, but it was Eren Holding—one of Turkey’s leading conglomerates—that secured his leadership. He joined as a board member overseeing all cement group companies, bringing with him not only economic expertise but also a unique capacity to bridge policy and business strategy.

Then, two years ago, came a defining turning point: Mehmet was appointed CEO of Medcem Cement Group, the industrial powerhouse within Eren Holding. “So this is the short story of mine,” he says with characteristic modesty—but what’s clear is that his story is anything but ordinary.

From auditing national finances to shaping international policy to spearheading sustainable industrial growth, Mehmet’s journey is a masterclass in how diverse experiences can converge to shape a truly visionary leader. His ability to operate with precision, adapt swiftly, and think globally has positioned Medcem at the forefront of Turkey’s industrial renaissance—and there’s much more to come.

Uniting Values with Vision: A Blueprint for Building Beyond Boundaries

As Mehmet Ali Ceylan transitioned into the CEO role at Medcem Cement Group, he found himself not just leading a business but orchestrating a cultural transformation. At a time when uncertainty loomed large over global markets, he doubled down—not just on strategy, but on values.

When asked about the principles that have guided him, especially in the most uncertain times, Mehmet Ali Ceylan responds with quiet conviction:

“Transparency, supportiveness, teamwork—and, of course, integrity. These have been the constants in my leadership philosophy.”

It wasn’t just lip service. Two years ago, when Medcem merged several independent entities under one unified structure, Mehmet was appointed the first CEO of the consolidated cement group. It was a pivotal moment. Rather than manage operations, he chose to define a shared cultural and strategic identity.

He drafted an Ethical Playbook to guide employees at every level and laid out a five-year strategic plan that would become the group’s north star. “We were no longer different teams walking alone. Now, we walk together as one,” he shares with pride. The results? A stronger, more aligned workforce—all moving in the same direction.

From Vision to Velocity: Medcem’s Global Expansion Playbook

Under Mehmet’s leadership, Medcem didn’t just restructure internally—it launched into one of the boldest international expansions in the company’s history. While the world grappled with geopolitical disruptions and supply chain bottlenecks, Medcem doubled its production capacity, launched multiple export terminals, and began vertically integrating its logistics and shipping operations.

“People say it was a bold move,” Mehmet Ali Ceylan says, “but for us, it felt like the natural next step.”

That confidence stemmed from deep, data-driven insights and a long-term understanding of market trends. “We’ve been closely monitoring sector dynamics for years. Our customer base is strong and growing, and we recognize the rising demand in key regions. Our facility was designed as an export hub—we knew we could do more.”

That belief led to a doubling of production capacity at what is now the largest cement factory west of the Mediterranean, outside of the Far East. But expanding output was just the beginning.

Mehmet’s team developed a strategy to control more of their value chain by distributing nearly half of their exports directly through their terminals—an ambitious logistical shift that required massive infrastructure development. Terminals and grinding facilities were rapidly launched or expanded in:

• Tunisia,
• Cameroon,
• North Cyprus,
• Sheerness (UK),
• Glasgow (Scotland),
• Antwerp (Belgium),
• Trieste (Italy),
• Liverpool (UK),
• Florida (USA).

And as those trade routes solidified, Mehmet Ali Ceylan saw another opportunity: logistics integration.

“We chartered two vessels as a kind of laboratory,” he explains. “It’s part of a larger plan to eventually invest in our fleet—either by chartering more ships or buying them outright. It’s about hedging logistics and turning vertical integration into a strength.”

But that’s not all.

With ships moving regularly, Mehmet Ali Ceylan recognized the chance to transport other construction materials alongside cement—optimizing shipping costs and unlocking new revenue streams. “Once cement covers the shipping cost, every other product becomes far more competitive,” he notes.

This approach is building toward a bold goal: “To become a mid-sized global construction materials group—not just in cement, but in adjacent sectors as well.”

With this in mind, Medcem is now actively exploring new product lines and materials, laying the groundwork for a multifaceted, international construction materials enterprise.

From ethics to exports, Mehmet Ali Ceylan is proving that with clarity of values, strategic foresight, and a relentless will to innovate, even the heaviest industries can be agile. His leadership at Medcem is not only redefining what’s possible in cement—it’s reshaping Turkey’s position in the global industrial landscape.

Forging Ahead with Resilience, Vision, and Responsibility

For Mehmet Ali Ceylan, resilience isn’t just a reaction to crisis—it’s a mindset that defines how Medcem Cement Group operates every day. In a world where geopolitical volatility, shifting regulations, and environmental demands threaten to slow down heavy industry, Mehmet Ali Ceylan sees something different: opportunity.

“Resilience,” he says, “is the core of long-term and sustainable businesses. But at Medcem, resilience also means flexibility—the ability to adapt, to lead, and to grow even when others hesitate.”

That perspective has helped Medcem turn global uncertainty into a catalyst for innovation and expansion. Rather than pull back during turbulent times, Mehmet Ali Ceylan and his tight-knit leadership team have leaned in, expanding boldly while others wait on the sidelines.

“Risk,” he reflects, “has two sides. One is danger. The other is potential. And we choose to see the potential.”

Redefining Sustainability: From Compliance to Competitiveness

But Mehmet’s vision goes beyond just weathering storms. He’s steering Medcem toward a future where sustainability is not a checkbox—but a competitive advantage.

Tackling the urgent challenge of carbon emissions, Mehmet Ali Ceylan splits the industry’s options into two paths:

• Approachable and actionable solutions today.
• Aspirational technologies of the future.

“Realistically,” he explains, “the approachable solutions are where we’re making the biggest impact right now.” Medcem is leading the way in:

• Alternative fuels such as corn caps and forest residues.
• Supplementary cementitious materials like fly ash.
• Artificial intelligence to optimize energy use and lower emissions.

Massive renewable energy investments, including:

• 40 MW of solar energy has already been installed.
• An additional 20 MW is on the way, pushing their renewable capacity to 60 MW.

While many talk about the future of cement, Mehmet Ali Ceylan is building it, block by block, megawatt by megawatt.

As for advanced technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCUS), hydrogen-powered kilns, or electrification of entire plants, Mehmet Ali Ceylan remains clear-eyed.

“These are proven technologies, no doubt,” he says, “but economically, they’re not viable yet without significant government intervention or incentives. The technology is ready. The market is not.”

Still, that doesn’t mean Medcem is standing. Mehmet Ali Ceylan and his team are actively monitoring, researching, and preparing to adopt these innovations when the time—and the economics—are right.

The Patience Play: Aligning Stakeholders with Long-Term Horizons

Cement is not a fast-reward industry. It’s a sector that demands patience, capital, and commitment. So, how does Mehmet align stakeholders—investors, regulators, and partners—around this long game?

“We’re exporting to more than 20 countries and opening terminals across continents. That means we’re not just accountable to shareholders—we’re accountable to the future.”

Medcem’s proactive sustainability agenda is not driven by outside pressure—it’s setting the pace. The company has already committed to becoming a net-zero carbon factory by 2050, with an aggressive milestone to generate 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.

Stakeholders are taking notice.

“We’re actually more aggressive than some of our investors,” Mehmet Ali Ceylan admits with a smile. “They set goals—but we push beyond them.”

This strategic alignment also enhances Medcem’s access to capital. As global financial institutions increasingly tie funding to sustainability benchmarks, Mehmet ensures Medcem stays ahead of the curve. Every investment—every expansion—is made with both environmental integrity and financial discipline.

Looking Forward: Leading Cement into a New Era

As Mehmet Ali Ceylan gazes toward the horizon, he sees more than the silhouettes of silos and terminals—he envisions a thriving, resilient industrial ecosystem that outpaces expectations and redefines global benchmarks. At Medcem, he has embedded a culture where resilience isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a mindset fueled by agility, opportunity-seeking in the face of risk, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability, digital innovation, and people. He nurtures a new generation of leaders who think beyond borders, act with purpose, and challenge traditional hierarchies with fresh ideas and empathy.

Under his leadership, Medcem has not only led Turkey’s cement exports but also influenced regional industry norms—pushing competitors to innovate, invest in green technologies, and think long-term. Mehmet’s openness to learning from Gen Z and empowering every employee as an essential cog in a purpose-driven machine underscores his belief in human capital as the true driver of progress.

When asked about legacy, Mehmet’s answer is refreshingly honest: he hopes to be remembered not just for achievements but for the courage to try, fail, and pioneer new paths. A catalyst for change, he leaves behind more than a company—he leaves a philosophy, an inspiration for future leaders to think boldly and act responsibly.