Dr. Erman Ilıcak graduated from Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1990. He earned an MBA degree in 2002 from the Vienna University of Economics and Business in conjunction with the University of Minnesota. In addition, he obtained a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the International Business School in Paris in 2011. In 1993, he founded the engineering company Rönesans Holding, which entered the "Top 250 International Contractors" list published by ENR in 2006 and has been ranked among the top 10 largest international construction companies in Europe since 2015. He accelerated Rönesans Holding's growth in Europe through three acquisitions in Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Dr. Erman Ilıcak views the company’s ability to combine international financing with construction experience as one of its greatest achievements. He has led Rönesans Holding’s partnerships with leading global organizations such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), Meridiam, Sojitz, TotalEnergies, Samsung C&T Corporation, and Sonatrach.

In recognition of his substantial efforts to strengthen cooperation and develop friendship between Türkiye and Japan, he received Japan’s highest state honor, the 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon,' from Emperor Naruhito in 2022. Today, Dr. Erman Ilıcak continues his work to improve educational opportunities for young people in Türkiye. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rönesans Education Foundation, established in 2009.