Prof Dr Ahmet Kirman graduated from Ankara University, Faculty of Law. He had his master’s degree in EU Competition Law and Ph.D. in Commercial Law from the same institution, becoming an Associate Professor and then Professor of Financial Law. Prof Dr Kirman served as Faculty Member, Division Head, Head of the Finance Department and Institute Director at Ankara University, Faculty of Political Science. He was also a Faculty Member at Galatasaray University, Faculty of Law and continues to give lectures to postgraduate students at the same university. Prof Dr Kirman started his professional career in 1981 as a judge for the Council of State. Subsequently, he joined Türkiye İş Bankası A.Ş. where he held various positions in banking and insurance. He served as the Chairman of Türkiye İş Bankası A.Ş., Milli Reasürans T.A.Ş., Destek Reasürans A.Ş., and Petrol Ofisi A.Ş., and Board Member at several other major companies including Anadolu Sigorta A.Ş. During his period as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at İşbank, he was also chairman of the Audit Committee and served on the Inspection Board.
At Türkiye Şişe ve Cam Fabrikaları A.Ş., Prof Dr Kirman has served as the Chairman and fully authorized Executive Member from 2006 to 2011, Vice Chairman and CEO from 2011 to 2021, Chairman and CEO from 30 March 2021 to 1 July 2021; and Chairman as from 1 July 2021. At the General Assembly meeting held on March 28, 2022, Prof Dr Kirman was appointed as the Chairman and Executive Member of the Board. He has also served as the Chairman of Soda San. A.Ş., Trakya Cam San. A.Ş., Anadolu Cam San. A.Ş. and Paşabahçe Cam San. Tic. A.Ş. from 2011 to 30 September 2020, until these four main listed subsidiaries were merged under Şişecam. In addition to his position as the Chairman and Executive Member of the Board of Şişecam, he continues to serve as the Chairman of several Group companies based in Russia, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania.
In recognition of his outstanding lifetime contributions to the glass science and technology, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and promotion of domestic and international glass community, Prof Dr Kirman was honored with the “President’s Award” by the International Commission on Glass (ICG), which is the most reputable and recognized world-wide organization in the field of glass with representatives from 33 countries. Prof Dr Kirman has been awarded with the honor of “Cavaliere” of “the Order of the Star of Italy,” nominated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and bestowed by the President of the Italian Republic, for his contributions to the strengthening of economic bilateral relations and mutual investments between Italy and Turkey. Prof Dr Kirman has also been honored by the President of Tatarstan with the “Medal of Valorous Labor” in recognition of his valuable contributions to the development of investments and economic cooperation with Tatarstan. He has been honored with the “Medal of Appreciation” due to his contributions to the economic development of the Targovishte Region in Bulgaria. He was also awarded the “Chairman of the Year” at the Le Fonti Awards, the award platform of Italy's one of leading economics media organizations Le Fonti for Şişecam's innovation and sustainability-focused global achievements. Lastly Cavaliere Prof Dr Kirman, is elected The Glass Person of the Year 2023 by the Phoenix Award Committee for his long-term, significant, and valuable contributions to global glass industry.
Prof Dr Kirman has served as the Chairman and Member of the Board of Directors at ICC and was also a Member of TEPAV’s Board of Trustees and Board of Directors, along with BTHE and IAV’s Board of Directors. He served as a Member of the Board of Directors and Committee of Legal Affairs at the Turkish Shooting and Hunting Federation. He also participated in numerous specific training programs particularly including Banking & Financials, The Fundamentals of International Finance & Advanced Aspects of International Finance 1997, Queen Mary and Westfield College of London, Finance for Lawyers, International Taxation & Offshore Financial Planning. Prof Dr Kirman has authored 12 books along with various scholarly articles and has been invited as a keynote speaker at numerous scientific as well as business events. Involved in parachuting and shooting sports, Prof Dr Kirman won the gold medal in shooting in the 1978 Balkan Championship. He created an aviation history section for the Rahmi M. Koç Museum, İstanbul in the context of his scaled model hobby. His models continue to be on display in accordance with the living museum approach.