Aretera has appointed Cengiz Aydın as Executive Counsel in Türkiye, strengthening its senior counsel offering across the region.
Based in Istanbul, Cengiz brings three decades of experience spanning public policy, diplomacy, corporate affairs and board governance. His career has taken him from Türkiye’s trade ministry and the EU institutions in Brussels, to the U.S. diplomatic mission in Ankara, in addition to a number of senior regional roles in global business.
Prior to joining Aretera, Cengiz served as Regional Director for Türkiye and CIS at Mastercard, leading engagement on public policy and government affairs in a dynamic and increasingly strategic region. He advised on policy and regulatory issues affecting the payments sector, working at the intersection of government, regulation and international business.
Earlier in his career, Cengiz worked within the Turkish government, including the trade ministry, before serving at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. He subsequently worked with the EU institutions in Brussels, building a comprehensive understanding of trade policy, diplomatic engagement and European decision-making.
His wider experience includes leadership roles with a research-based pharmaceutical association and an NYSE-listed platform, alongside board positions at four publicly listed companies. He also holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University and a degree in Political Science and Public Administration from Middle East Technical University. His breadth of experience gives him a clear view of how public decisions are made, how corporate interests can be represented effectively and where the space for practical progress lies.
“We are delighted to welcome Cengiz to Aretera,” said Philip Merrell, Head of Emerging Markets. “His strong experience across public policy, diplomacy and international business will bring exceptional value to clients navigating policy and regulatory complexity across Türkiye and the wider region.”