Burak Bayhan

Senior Business Leader | CSO & CMO | ExCo | Scaling Growth via Distribution, Partnerships & Customer Strategy | CEO Track

Istanbul, Istanbul, Türkiye

About

Senior business leader with ~20 years of experience across insurance and banking, combining full P&L ownership, large-scale distribution management and enterprise-wide transformation leadership. Currently serving as Chief Sales & Marketing Officer and Executive Committee Member at Sompo Sigorta, leading ~USD 1B premium production across multi-channel distribution. Proven track record in building and scaling commercial models, driving profitable growth and leading complex organizational transformations. Extensive experience in customer-centric growth, ecosystem-driven distribution and partnership-led business models, including embedded insurance and cross-sell monetization. Previously led a greenfield insurance company initiative, covering operating model design, business planning and build vs. acquisition evaluation. Experienced in working closely with Boards and senior stakeholders, contributing to strategic decision-making and business direction. Interested in CEO roles requiring business build-up, commercial acceleration and scalable growth models.

Experience

  • Chief Sales Officer (CSO) & Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) | Executive Committee Member at Sompo Sigorta
    Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

    Leading ~USD 1B premium production across multi-channel distribution (~75% of total business) Managing 150 FTE organization and end-to-end commercial strategy Delivered above-market growth across all product lines and achieved record profitability Redesigned distribution model into a multi-tier structure, improving scalability and reducing concentration risk Scaled agency network by 44% through efficiency-driven operating model (no increase in sales force) Built customer-centric growth model, significantly improving retention and cross-sell performance Doubled digital sales and expanded digital customer engagement Developed partnership-led distribution, including automotive and retail collaborations Driving large-scale strategic partnerships and ecosystem integrations

  • Chief Marketing Officer & Chief Strategy Officer | Executive Committee Member at QNB Sigorta
    Jun 2023 - Apr 2025 · 1 yr 11 mos

    Led strategy, marketing, digital, analytics and product management functions Delivered profitable market share growth from ~6.5% to 8%+ Executed full-scale transformation including rebranding and omni-channel model Built company-wide strategy framework aligning all functions Operated in non-agency distribution model leveraging direct, digital and partnership channels Developed embedded insurance use cases through platform integrations Led strategic project to establish a new insurance company Designed operating model, product strategy and business plan

  • Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Marketing Officer | Executive Committee Member at CignaTurkiye
    Sep 2022 - Jun 2023 · 10 mos

    Same role as above (QNB Sigorta), company rebranded following M&A

  • QNB Finansbank (10 yrs 9 mos)
    • Director, SME Banking
      Oct 2017 - Sep 2022 · 5 yrs

      Full P&L responsibility for ~USD10B portfolio Led large-scale organization (1000+ employees) Delivered sustained growth while optimizing cost base Restructured business model in response to regulatory changes

    • Division Manager
      2012 - Oct 2017 · 5 yrs 10 mos

  • Summer Associate at Eli Lilly
    May 2009 - Jul 2009 · 3 mos