GİSİAD UK Officially Launches in London as 500 Guests Celebrate the Republic of Türkiye
By Alpaslan Düven – London
A prestigious reception at London’s historic Guildhall brought together more than 500 guests from the worlds of diplomacy, business and investment to mark the official launch of GİSİAD UK and celebrate the 103rd anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye.**
The UK branch of the Entrepreneurs, Business and Intellectuals Association (GİSİAD UK) officially launched with a grand reception at the historic Guildhall in the heart of the City of London.
Held on Friday evening, 30 October 2026, the event coincided with celebrations marking the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye. More than 500 guests attended the reception, filling the Guildhall’s prestigious Old Library & Print Room.
The event attracted significant interest from diplomatic representatives, public officials, investors and business leaders from both Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
Bringing Together Republican Values and an International Vision
Decorated with Turkish and British flags, the historic venue provided a fitting setting for an evening celebrating the Republic of Türkiye and the strengthening of ties between the two countries.
Addressing the gathering, GİSİAD President Remzi Dursunkaya outlined the association’s founding objectives, international vision and ambitions to strengthen economic and commercial relations between Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
He highlighted the importance of creating new opportunities for cooperation, supporting entrepreneurship and bringing together business communities across both countries.
Welcoming the guests in his opening address, Murat Bingöl, Chairman of the Board of GİSİAD UK, who hosted the event, outlined the association’s establishment and its vision of strengthening commercial ties between the business communities of Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
More Than 500 Guests from Diplomacy and Business
The reception welcomed more than 500 distinguished guests, with representatives from diplomatic missions, public institutions, the investment community and the wider business world.
Among the distinguished attendees were:
Osman Koray Ertaş, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the United Kingdom, Assoc. Prof. Dr Hasan Ulusoy, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in London, Aysan Mullahasan Atılgan, Representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in London.
The strong attendance reflected the interest in strengthening institutional, diplomatic and commercial connections between the Turkish and British business communities.
New Opportunities for Türkiye–UK Business Cooperation
Following the speeches, guests took part in a reception and networking session, providing an opportunity to exchange ideas, establish new contacts and explore potential partnerships.
The development of bilateral trade, mutual investment opportunities, entrepreneurship and new business collaborations were among the key themes of the evening.
The official launch of GİSİAD UK marked not only a celebration of the 103rd anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye in London, but also the beginning of a new platform aimed at fostering economic, commercial and institutional cooperation between Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
With its international outlook and commitment to bringing business communities together, GİSİAD UK aims to contribute to closer relations and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders in both countries.
GİSİAD UK – Three International Strategic Partnerships
One of the most significant highlights of the evening was the formalisation of three strategic international cooperation agreements between GİSİAD UK and leading institutions in the fields of technology, healthcare and higher education.
The agreements, signed by GİSİAD President Remzi Dursunkaya and GİSİAD UK Chairman Murat Bingöl, represent an important step towards transforming international institutional connections into tangible projects and sustainable partnerships.
1. Biruni Teknopark – Technology, Innovation and Global Investment
A strategic cooperation agreement was established between GİSİAD UK and **Biruni University Technopark (Biruni Teknopark)**, covering technology, entrepreneurship, innovation and international investment.
Under the leadership of **Sezgin Erzan, General Manager of Biruni Teknopark**, the institution has achieved remarkable and sustainable growth, establishing itself among Türkiye’s leading technology development centres.
With its portfolio companies initially attracting a combined ”USD 150.94 million in investment”, Biruni Teknopark ranked ”third among Türkiye’s 105 technoparks” in terms of investment volume.
According to the latest figures, its ecosystem has achieved:
-USD 214.52 million in total investment secured by its companies.
-USD 936.38 million in aggregate company turnover.
-USD 128.34 million in export volume.
The partnership aims to connect innovative companies operating in artificial intelligence, healthcare technologies, financial technologies, cybersecurity, biotechnology, software and gaming technologies with international investors, while facilitating their expansion into global markets.
Sezgin Erzan, recognised for his leadership and extensive management experience within Türkiye’s technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem, was among the distinguished participants in the evening’s international cooperation programme.
During his address, Mr Erzan highlighted that Biruni Teknopark hosts approximately **300 companies and 4,000 highly skilled professionals**, emphasising the importance of connecting Türkiye’s technological capabilities and innovation potential with international investment networks.
Furthermore, Mehmet Özalp, Technology, Innovation, Investment and Globalisation Strategist and Practitioner, serves as an official institutional partner in supporting Biruni Teknopark’s corporate globalisation initiatives and the development of strategic international partnerships.
The agreement, signed by Sezgin Erzan, Remzi Dursunkaya and Murat Bingöl, aims to connect Türkiye’s innovative enterprises with the United Kingdom and wider international investment markets.
2. Essex Medical Society – Healthcare, Education and International Cooperation
A strategic cooperation agreement was established between ”GİSİAD UK and Essex Medical Society (EMS)”, encompassing healthcare, medical sciences, education, technology, international trade, investment and sustainable development.
”Professor Tham Nimal-Raj, Founder and Director of Essex Medical Society”, was among the distinguished institutional representatives participating in the programme, bringing his academic expertise and extensive involvement in healthcare-related institutional initiatives to this international partnership.
The agreement provides a strategic framework for developing joint initiatives in healthcare technologies, medical research, digital health, professional education, academic exchange and international healthcare investment.
The collaboration aims to strengthen cross-border institutional relationships, encourage knowledge exchange and facilitate the development of sustainable projects connecting healthcare, academia, technology and international business.
”GİSİAD President Remzi Dursunkaya, GİSİAD UK Chairman Murat Bingöl, Professor Tham Nimal-Raj and Mehmet Özalp” are among the key individuals involved in the institutional representation and strategic coordination of this partnership.
3. New Vision University – Academia, Research and Technology
A strategic cooperation agreement was established between ”GİSİAD UK and New Vision University – Derby Campus”, focusing on higher education, scientific research, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Represented by Professor Rajesh Varma, the university’s collaboration encompasses healthcare technologies, academic research, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, knowledge transfer and the development of university–industry partnerships.
Professor Varma, recognised for his academic expertise in medical education and healthcare, plays an important role in supporting the integration of academic knowledge with international business networks and encouraging the development of innovative, research-driven projects.
The partnership seeks to establish meaningful connections between academic institutions, technology enterprises and international investors, creating opportunities for collaborative research, educational initiatives and sustainable innovation.
The agreement, signed by GİSİAD President Remzi Dursunkaya and GİSİAD UK Chairman Murat Bingöl, was further supported by the strategic coordination contributions of Mehmet Özalp, who already serves as a Board Member of both Essex Medical Society and New Vision University.
This collaboration establishes an important institutional framework for advancing international education, research, technology transfer and innovation-driven projects.
