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Arsel, Nusret

Arsel, Nusret

Arsel, Nusret

At the end of 1958, he became deputy general manager of Simko Ticaret ve Sanayi AŞ, a Koç–Siemens partnership, which he founded together with Vehbi Koç. After Simko began operations in early 1959, he went to Munich for an internship at Siemens, returning to Istanbul in 1960. In January 1964, he was appointed general manager of Simko. In early August of the same year, foundations were laid in Mudanya for a cable factory, which was completed and went into operation one year later as Türk Siemens Kablo ve Elektrik Sanayii AŞ.

In 1982, he received the National Order of Merit from the President of France for, “improving relations between Turkey and France and contributing, along with his wife, to the development of culture and art.” In 1984, his 20th year at the Simko head office, he was awarded with the Grand Order of Merit of the German Federal Republic for “his contribution to the consolidation of Turkish–German relations.” In 1982, he was appointed honorary consul general of Malaysia, which he continued until his death. In 1991, he received the Dato title and medal granted by the Sultanate of Malaysia.

From the end of 1986 until his retirement, Nusret Arsel was chair of the board of directors and general manager at Etmaş and Hataş, both companies affiliated to Simko and Türk Siemens Kablo. He also served on the boards of other Koç Group companies, such as Migros, Beko Elektronik, Tat Konserve, Tat Tohumculuk, Maret, Pastavilla, SEK, Simtel, Ram Foreign Trade Inc., İzocam and Türk Demir Döküm. As a member of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Energy Committee, he attended the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) annual conferences for 12 years as Turkey’s representative and served on the ICC Energy Commission. A founding member of both the Turkish Education Foundation (TEV) and Turkish Lions, Arsel set up an insurance brokers company, Aransem, after his retirement and continued to serve on the board of directors at some Koç Holding companies.

He was interested in developing agricultural production, particularly in relation to soya, and wrote several newspaper articles expounding his views and suggestions on the topic. He became chair of the Tat Tohumculuk Board of Directors in 1987 and continued in the role for many years.

Semahat and Dr. Nusret Arsel donated 10 million dollars for the building of a nursing school on the site of the old Güzelbahçe Hospital in Nişantaşı, Istanbul. The building, which was completed in 2002, was named after them. A one million dollar fund, also created by the couple, went into the establishment of NASAMER as part of the Koç University School of Law (see Koç University). The center opened in 2007 and deals with matters of international trade law.

Arsel was also an art and music enthusiast. His foray into amateur painting began in 1976 and lasted about 25 years. A selection of his work was published in 2009 in his book, Çizgilerimdeki Çizgilerim! (The Lines in My Drawings!). His memoirs, entitled Ana Duası (A Mother’s Blessing), were published in 2012. He passed away in Istanbul, on January 18, 2014, leaving a large proportion of his assets to the Vehbi Koç Foundation.

[When I heard that the application I had made for a job equivalent to my education had been rejected by the Ministry of Labor] I dejectedly walked from the area where all the ministries were located onto the main street. I walked towards Kızılay, slowly and with great despondence. All the years of hard work and considerable stress flashed in front of my eyes like a cinema strip. About 15 minutes later, I heard a voice in the distance calling, “Nusret, Nusret...” The voice was coming from a black car on my right, facing towards Çankaya. I realized that the person waving his hand from the driver side window was Mr. Koç. I went over to him. He was driving the car himself.

I remember very well, even today, the perforated leather gloves he was wearing. In an endearing and affectionate voice, he said, “Nusret, what’s the matter? Have your ships sunk? You look really upset.” It was as if he had woken me up from a sleep full of nightmares. I pulled myself together. Standing by the car, I explained that my application to the Ministry of Labor had been rejected and that’s why I was upset.

He invited me into the car. After explaining that he had a half hour meeting at the Ministry of Commerce, but would like to talk to me in more detail, he asked me to wait in the car for him. I think it was about 20 minutes later when he came back and we went together to his office at Koç Ticaret in Ulus Square. It was noon. Recalling that the last time we had met was about four or five years ago, Vehbi Koç said, “If I’m not mistaken, at that time you were working for the Central Bank as well as studying at the Faculty of Law. Then you disappeared. I thought you must have gone off to do military service, got married, or found a job outside Ankara.”

I told him briefly what I had done since leaving the faculty. Mr. Koç listened with great care; it was clear that my story interested him more than his ministerial visit. Now and then, he scribbled a few brief notes. Then, he invited me to eat at the Zevk Restaurant, at the same time letting İlhan (Arsel) know. The three of us had a very enjoyable meal and the positive atmosphere instantly dispelled my stress.

After the meal, we went back to the office. He said, “Nusret, now let’s talk to you about work.” (İlhan was with us during the conversation.) “You can start work with me tomorrow for a monthly salary of 500 lira.” I was completely taken aback by this unexpected offer, but quickly pulling myself together, I replied, “Mr. Koç, you must be feeling sorry for me. You probably felt upset and made the offer just to cheer me up.” I continued by saying, “I’m really grateful, but could you first of all put down in writing how I can be useful and what my duties and responsibilities will be. Then, I’ll try to satisfy your requirements accordingly.” He listened patiently to me and advised me to meet with the general manager of Koç Ticaret, Hulki Alisbah, to talk in more detail about the job before making my final decision.

Of course, that’s what happened and a week later I went to see Mr. Alisbah. He gave me a warm welcome and we talked for about an hour. That’s how, in March 1953, I began working at Koç Ticaret as Mr. Alisbah’s assistant and second-degree authorized signatory. My office was between Hulki Alisbah and Vehbi Koç’s offices, my salary was 500 Turkish lira and I had 15 days annual leave.
Nusret Arsel, Ana Duası (A Mother’s Blessing), Yapı Kredi Yayınları, Istanbul, 2012, pp. 61–62

At the end of 1958, he became deputy general manager of Simko Ticaret ve Sanayi AŞ, a Koç–Siemens partnership, which he founded together with Vehbi Koç. After Simko began operations in early 1959, he went to Munich for an internship at Siemens, returning to Istanbul in 1960. In January 1964, he was appointed general manager of Simko. In early August of the same year, foundations were laid in Mudanya for a cable factory, which was completed and went into operation one year later as Türk Siemens Kablo ve Elektrik Sanayii AŞ. In 1982, he received the National Order of Merit from the President of France for, “improving relations between Turkey and France and contributing, along with his wife, to the development of culture and art.” In 1984, his 20th year at the Simko head office, he was awarded with the Grand Order of Merit of the German Federal Republic for “his contribution to the consolidation of Turkish–German relations.” In 1982, he was appointed honorary consul general of Malaysia, which he continued until his death. In 1991, he received the Dato title and medal granted by the Sultanate of Malaysia. From the end of 1986 until his retirement, Nusret Arsel was chair of the board of directors and general manager at Etmaş and Hataş, both companies affiliated to Simko and Türk Siemens Kablo. He also served on the boards of other Koç Group companies, such as Migros, Beko Elektronik, Tat Konserve, Tat Tohumculuk, Maret, Pastavilla, SEK, Simtel, Ram Foreign Trade Inc., İzocam and Türk Demir Döküm. As a member of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Energy Committee, he attended the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) annual conferences for 12 years as Turkey’s representative and served on the ICC Energy Commission. A founding member of both the Turkish Education Foundation (TEV) and Turkish Lions, Arsel set up an insurance brokers company, Aransem, after his retirement and continued to serve on the board of directors at some Koç Holding companies. He was interested in developing agricultural production, particularly in relation to soya, and wrote several newspaper articles expounding his views and suggestions on the topic. He became chair of the Tat Tohumculuk Board of Directors in 1987 and continued in the role for many years. Semahat and Dr. Nusret Arsel donated 10 million dollars for the building of a nursing school on the site of the old Güzelbahçe Hospital in Nişantaşı, Istanbul. The building, which was completed in 2002, was named after them. A one million dollar fund, also created by the couple, went into the establishment of NASAMER as part of the Koç University School of Law (see Koç University). The center opened in 2007 and deals with matters of international trade law. Arsel was also an art and music enthusiast. His foray into amateur painting began in 1976 and lasted about 25 years. A selection of his work was published in 2009 in his book, Çizgilerimdeki Çizgilerim! (The Lines in My Drawings!). His memoirs, entitled Ana Duası (A Mother’s Blessing), were published in 2012. He passed away in Istanbul, on January 18, 2014, leaving a large proportion of his assets to the Vehbi Koç Foundation.

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