29/05/2026
: Meet Esra Vural, Country Sales Director for Turkey.
When we talk about “local expertise” at RETN, we’re often talking about people like Esra. A true Istanbulite, she was born and raised in the heart of the city, only leaving to study in Italy through the Erasmus programme. Today, she’s a 15-year veteran of the Turkish telecoms sector in what she describes as a “traditionally male-dominated market”, where relationships and trust are the only real currency.
Esra didn’t start in telecoms. With a background in Political Science and International Relations, she began her career at Shell before moving into the industry - spending nearly a decade in wholesale roles with major local and international operators.
Since joining RETN last August, she’s taken on the role of Country Sales Director, balancing strategy with the hands-on growth of RETN’s presence in Turkey.
Over the years, Esra has built a network of more than 250 industry contacts who know her by name. "In Turkey, business isn’t done through red tape - it’s done through WhatsApp, quick calls, and direct solutions. Turkish people like to talk with Turkish people,” she says, emphasising the need to be accessible at any time, whether for a quotation or to resolve a technical issue.
Outside of work, Esra brings the same intensity to her personal life. She’s spent the past two years training in kickboxing, even travelling to Thailand to watch world-class fighters in action - which she took up during a period of major personal change. Today, it’s a key source of motivation and strength as a single mother of two.
She’s also visited more than 40 countries, is a passionate singer (saving her best for RETN karaoke nights), and a devoted Galatasaray fan.
For Esra, joining RETN meant leaving behind the crowded offices of incumbents for something more agile. She’s driven by educating the market on RETN’s IP quality and expanding our footprint across key cities.
“I like being a salesperson because I enjoy communication and solving problems,” she says. In a market built on personal connection, she’s ensuring “RETN is seen not just as a provider, but as a trusted, on-the-ground partner in Turkey.”
