Early Life
Murat Ülker was born on March 21, 1959, in Istanbul, Turkey. He is the son of Sabri Ülker, the founder of Yıldız Holding. He attended İstanbul Erkek Lisesi and graduated from Boğaziçi University with a degree in business administration.
Rise to Success
Ülker joined the Ülker Group, part of Yıldız Holding, in 1984 as a control coordinator. Over the years, he advanced to assistant general manager and later, general manager. In 2000, he became the CEO of Yıldız Holding, and in 2008, he assumed the role of chairman. Under his chairmanship, Yıldız Holding expanded significantly, making strategic acquisitions such as GODIVA Chocolatier in 2008 and United Biscuits in 2014. In 2016, he formed Pladis, a global business that combined Ülker, United Biscuits, and DeMet's Candy Company.
Key Business Strategies
Murat Ülker's business strategies have focused on expanding Yıldız Holding's footprint through strategic acquisitions. The acquisition of GODIVA Chocolatier in 2008 was a significant move, as was the purchase of United Biscuits in 2014. In 2016, he created Pladis, a global company consolidating several brands. His focus is on innovation and expanding into new markets.
Philanthropy
Murat Ülker is involved in charitable causes, particularly those related to education, healthcare, and social welfare. He established the Sabri Ulker Foundation in 2009, which focuses on public health in the areas of food and nutrition. In 2014, the Ülker family contributed $24 million to Harvard University to establish The Sabri Ülker Center for Nutrient, Genetic, and Metabolic Research.