Early Life
Erman Ilicak was born on October 3, 1967, in Darende, Malatya, Turkey. He completed his primary and secondary education at TED Ankara College, graduating in 1985. He pursued his higher education at the Middle East Technical University (METU), earning a degree in Civil Engineering in 1990. Ilicak furthered his education with an MBA from Vienna University of Economics and Business in conjunction with the University of Minnesota in 2002, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the International Business School in Paris in 2011.
Rise to Success
Ilicak's career took off in 1993 when he founded Rönesans Holding in St. Petersburg, Russia. Initially, the company focused on small renovation projects. Over time, Rönesans Holding grew into a global conglomerate operating in construction, real estate, healthcare, energy, and petrochemicals. Under his leadership, Rönesans Holding has expanded to 30 countries, employing over 30,000 people. The company is recognized as one of the largest international contracting companies globally, ranking 50th worldwide in 2025.
Key Business Strategies
Ilicak's business strategy has been centered on combining international financing with construction expertise. He has strategically partnered with leading global organizations, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), and others. Rönesans Holding has undertaken numerous large-scale projects, including the Lakhta Center in St. Petersburg, the tallest building in Europe, and various city hospitals in Turkey.
Philanthropy
Erman Ilicak is actively involved in philanthropy through the Rönesans Education Foundation (REV), established in 2009. The foundation provides scholarships to deserving students. In 2022, in recognition of his contributions to strengthen cooperation between Türkiye and Japan, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, from Emperor Naruhito.