Beste Durmus

International Business Leader | Commercial Transformation | P&L Leadership | Growth, Resilience & Sustainable Value Creation

Ghent, Flemish Region, Belgium

About

International business leader with 18+ years of experience driving growth, transformation and business performance across global industrial markets. Throughout my career, I have combined strategic thinking with hands-on execution, leading commercial organizations, business transformation initiatives and cross-functional teams across Europe, Asia and the Americas. My experience spans commercial leadership, pricing and margin management, business development, customer strategy, sustainability, and organizational transformation. Currently, I lead a €100M+ business and a 60+ person Sales, Marketing and Customer Service organization across international industrial markets at Bekaert. I am passionate about building high-performing teams, developing future leaders and translating strategy into measurable business results. Having worked across engineering, commercial and sustainability functions, I bring a broad business perspective and extensive experience connecting strategy, customer value, operational execution and long-term growth. Areas of expertise: • Business & Commercial Leadership • P&L Responsibility • Growth Strategy & Transformation • Pricing & Margin Management • International Team Leadership • Customer & Market Development • Sustainability & Value Creation • Change Management & Organizational Development I believe long-term business success is built through a combination of strong performance, trusted partnerships, adaptability and a clear focus on creating value. I am energized by helping organizations navigate complexity, unlock growth opportunities and translate ambition into sustainable business outcomes.

Experience

  • Bekaert (15 yrs 9 mos)
    • Sales & Marketing Director
      Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 3 mos

    • Global Sustainable Solutions Director
      Jul 2021 - Apr 2025 · 3 yrs 10 mos

    • Global Commercial Excellence & Automotive Segment Director
      Jun 2014 - Jun 2021 · 7 yrs 1 mo

  • Project Manager at MİTAS GROUP
    May 2009 - Sep 2010 · 1 yr 5 mos

  • Project Engineer at JCON Group
    Feb 2008 - Mar 2009 · 1 yr 2 mos

  • Research Assistant at Florida International University
    Aug 2006 - Dec 2007 · 1 yr 5 mos

  • Institute for Computer Applications in Civil Engineering (10 mos)
    • Research Assistant
      Jan 2006 - Jul 2006 · 7 mos

      Fluid dynamics simulations via CAD software

    • Research Assistant
      Oct 2005 - Mar 2006 · 6 mos

      2D and 3D modelling of robots with AutoCAD and other software