Birsen Akyürek has been named head of trade finance at Burgan Bank Türkiye. 

She has almost 18 years of banking experience, covering corporate, commercial and SME banking, in addition to trade finance. 

Akyürek’s responsibilities in the role include driving trade finance market growth at the lender by expanding product penetration and strengthening client coverage, as well as developing and implementing new products and digital solutions.

She will also be tasked with building and growing strategic relationships with corporate and SME clients to increase trade finance volumes, alongside acting as the lead commercial representative for key deals and coordinating with internal stakeholders to deliver tailored trade solutions.

Akyürek joined the Kuwait-headquartered bank in March from DenizBank, where she was head of trade finance, corporate and SME banking, and digital projects.

Before spending more than a decade at DenizBank, she worked at HSBC in roles such as supervisor for the corporate banking department. 

Akyürek said: “As a trade finance leader, I turn complex transactions into strategic advantages; combining client insight, disciplined risk management, and innovative solutions that drive sustainable growth.”