Rui Cartaxo, CEO and Chairman, REN

Energy security is one of the hot-button issues for countries around the world – and with Europe committed to a significant shift to renewables over the next decade it is a big concern across the continent. REN’s activities in the transportation of natural gas gives it a reliable source of electricity to supplement the less consistent contribution of wind power. Rui Cartaxo discusses the state of the European energy market and REN’s expansion plans.

Peter Wenzel Kruse, Senior VP of Group Communications, Vestas Wind Systems A/S

Wind power is becoming mainstream – and as nations look to embed turbines into their grid, top quality designs and engineering is a must to ensure reliability. Peter Kruse discusses Vestas’ investment commitment to R&D and explores the company’s “High Five” arguments for wind.

Hanson Sindowe, Executive Chairman, Copperbelt Energy Corporation

Mr Sindowe and his team discuss the role of CEC in the Zambian energy sector, developing hydro-power projects to ensure 100 percent reliable electricity generation for its clients in the mining industry.

Derya Gürerk, CEO, Türkiye Finans Katılım Bankası

Participation banking assets have grown twice as fast as Turkey’s overall banking sector during the last 10 years and now represent five percent of the industry. Derya Gürerk of Türkiye Finans believes this growth is sustainable if the required capital is brought in. He discusses the bank’s excellent performance last year, including a 25 percent increase in productivity and 22 percent increase in profits, its investment in infrastructure and developing entrepreneurial skills, and its recently issued Sukuks.

Cahit Kıraç, Chairman of EXPO 2020 İzmir Executive Committee and Steering Board

The host city and theme of the 2020 World Expo will be decided this year. The Turkish city of İzmir, one of the five candidates, is pitching the theme “New routes to a better world: Health for all”. Cahit Kıraç explains why İzmir chose health as its universal theme, the strides that Turkey has made in delivering high quality healthcare, and the legacy he hopes EXPO 2020 can leave in İzmir.

Dominique Uzel, Director of International Operations, Groupama

Turkey’s insurance market has been growing rapidly in recent years, thanks to new laws introduced to liberalise the industry. But it is still underdeveloped compared with other established economies: the market is worth just $120 per capita, while the French insurance sector is worth over $4,000 per capita. Dominique Uzel explains how Groupama is working closely with its extensive agent network to create new products designed especially for Turkey.