In 2021, a year marked by decreased investments, we at Tekfen Holding aimed to respond to the rapidly changing global and local environment by focusing on our current areas of activity. With the change in Holding management in the first quarter of the year, we initiated a renewal process to review our Group structure in today’s ever-changing environment and transform it into a more agile, durable, and sustainable organization. An experienced CEO from outside the company, Mr. Ali Pandır, was appointed as the President of Tekfen Group Companies, marking a first in Tekfen’s 65-year history. This development demonstrates the Group’s desire for change like no other. Tekfen was built on a set of values indispensable for the modern business world, and now, the integration of these values into a more agile organization in today’s fast-moving environment is essential to establish a dynamic and competitive corporate structure that looks to the future with more confidence and creates value for all its stakeholders.
Sustainability issues remained high on our Group’s agenda in 2021. We believe that no company will exist in the future unless they are sensitive toward issues that pose a grave risk to the future of our planet, especially the climate crisis, and develop their business models to find solutions to these problems. At Tekfen Group, we consider sustainability vital not only for our Group but also for the future of our planet.
Our sustainability activities are an extension of the world views of our three founders, Necati Akçağlılar, Feyyaz Berker, and Ali Nihat Gökyiğit. Throughout the years, these hard-working and visionary individuals have been role models for us all with their love of Turkey and their approach to social and environmental responsibilities. Our sustainability policies are now increasingly shaped by the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) approach across our Group Companies. Our companies progressively focus on sustainability by integrating digitalization, innovation, environment, efficiency, and inclusiveness into their business processes.
The climate emergency and water crisis are among the most critical risks facing the world today. In another encouraging development in 2021, we once again received an “A” score in both the Climate Change and Water Security Programs of the CDP thanks to our relevant measures in these areas. Following the medium and long-term emission reduction targets we set in 2020, we initiated the “Tekfen Net Zero Roadmap” to shape our plan for transitioning to net-zero emissions.
Today’s fast-paced world poses threats to institutions that cannot keep up with change while creating unique opportunities for companies that have internalized change management and created the appropriate structures and decision mechanisms. At Tekfen, it will be our top priority in the coming period to make the best use of these areas with the right structure and well-configured business processes and turn them into opportunities to achieve more breakthroughs.
I express my sincere gratitude to all our employees and investors who share our goals on this path.
Sincerely,
Zekeriya Yıldırım